One could truly say that MaryLou Iverson is following in her father's footsteps. her father was a Park and Rec director in Battle Creek, Mich. She spent a lot of time as a child with her father, who was active on the ASTM Committees for Playground and Amusements. She later developed and taught a play area training course for Amusement Industry Maintenance and Safety International (AIMS).
Her career choice was always cut and dried; she would work in the Park and Recreation field. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Recreation Administration.
MaryLou has been the director of Parks and Recreation for cities and special districts in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Washington. Her volunteer positions include being on the NRPA board, and a founding member of the NRPA Park Planning and Maintenance and Resouce School. She served as an instructor on the NRPA National Playground Safety Institute for CSPI program and helped to make playgrounds safe for children. She is also involved with children on a personal level, with 12 grandchildren from her five sons who live in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Alaska.
She is still active in the playground industry with the International Playground Contractors Association. Thank you for all you do for the industry, MaryLou.