Meet Emily Stetson of Keep Genesee County Beautiful

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Stetson

Hi Emily, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Lathrup Village, Michigan and knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue a career in parks and recreation. My parents kept me involved in our local parks programming and I truly value those experiences. I have always wanted to improve others quality of life through recreational opportunities. I sought out the Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services program at Central Michigan University, and once I completed my degree, I moved to the Flint area. I began my career in event management for local institutions and non-profit organizations and today I am the Direct of Keep Genesee County Beautiful, a program of Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am very proud and thankful for my career and the opportunities that I have had since getting my degree. Working in a recreation industry sounds like all fun and games but it can be very tough too. I believe that each position that I have held has been a critical part of making me who I am today. Whether it has been filling in on lifeguarding shifts, planning fundraisers, or working odd hours for events, each step has made me a better parks and recreation professional.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am currently the Director of Keep Genesee County Beautiful (KGCB), a grant-funded program of Genesee County Parks. KGCB works to encourage, educate and engage the community in creating beautiful, clean and sustainable neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces with a focus on the City of Flint. Our goal is to improve communities, their environment, and quality of life, by offering program support services to citizens who selflessly cultivate change in their neighborhoods. We support our volunteer network with resources and funding as we work together to clean up and improve our parks and gardens, and activate these spaces with programming and events. Our initiatives include park and garden adoption programs, general community clean up opportunities, and recycling education. I am a proud Flint resident, and we have a plethora of natural resources and environmental beauty to enjoy in our own backyard. It is a genuine honor to be able to support like-minded volunteers in an effort to make our public spaces more accessible.

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities or environmental resources please connect with us!

What are your plans for the future?
This past year, Keep Genesee County Beautiful celebrated it’s 20 year anniversary. It is very exciting to see the KGCB program grow and evolve. I look forward to being able to witness and advocate for all of the well-deserved updates to our public spaces.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://geneseecountyparks.org/keep-genesee-county-beautiful/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeepGeneseeCountyBeautiful