Q&A with Mike True, Precinct 2's Director of Parks and Recreation
1. Describe your role and how it impacts the lives of Precinct 2 residents.
In my role as Parks and Recreation Director I oversee the day-to-day operation, maintenance and improvements of our parks and community centers. It’s a pleasure working with our large team. They directly impact residents by ensuring our parks are clean, safe and welcoming for all visitors. I take pride in helping create spaces where people can relax, play and feel connected to their community.
2. Since 2019, Commissioner Garcia has invested about $20 million in upgrades to Precinct 2 parks as part of his Revive2Thrive initiative. What has it been like for you to be a part of these projects?
Being part of Revive2Thrive has been both exciting and rewarding. It takes a lot of effort from several departments and it’s fun to work collaboratively with dedicated teams to make it all come together. From my experience, it’s rare to see this level of reoccurring investment in public parks and watching these improvements go from concept to reality has been exciting. It feels good knowing we played a role in bringing long-lasting improvements to neighborhoods that truly deserve them.
3. You and your team also play a major role in the annual turkey drives. Tell us about what you do and what it takes to put these events together every year.
No man is an island, and it doesn’t happen without everyone pitching in. It’s rewarding to work with a group of people who also enjoy serving the public. It takes weeks of planning, scheduling staff, arranging resources and making sure each site has what it needs to serve residents smoothly. It’s a small gesture but we know it makes a large impact on the community.
4. What is your favorite Precinct 2 park and why?
I really enjoy Challenger 7 Memorial Park because it has a good mix of wooded trails, shade, open space and access to the water. Plus, it’s quiet! You can find people of all ages using it including an abundance of wildlife. It’s a good spot to think and reflect.
Mike True grew up in Hampton, Virginia, graduated college from Montana State University in Sustainable Agriculture, was once a dairy farmer, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, West Africa. Mike loves to cook; he married his best friend and beautiful wife in 2021 and became a dad in 2024. At the age of 25, he began working in parks and rec cutting grass and cleaning bathrooms. He gravitated to this profession because he enjoys serving others and being outdoors. He’s served in Precinct 2 for 5 years.