Updated: September 20th, 2024 - Ed Stevenson passed away unexpectedly on September 12th, 2024. Ed will be greatly missed by our staff and volunteers. His impact will live on in our parks and our community. Five Rivers MetroParks would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Ed's family and friends, and we would like to invite you to visit our parks, hike one of our trails, many of which Ed patrolled or maintained as a volunteer with us, and remember Ed. Read Ed's obituary and share your memories of Ed here.
If you've helped at a Twin Valley Trail Workday, participated in the Twin Valley Trail Challenge, or joined us at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience, you've likely crossed paths with volunteer Ed Stevenson. Ed
joined our volunteer team in March of 2016 after his wife and he moved to the area to be closer to their grandkids. "Five Rivers looked interesting, so I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did", said Ed. In Ed's 8 years of volunteer service, he has volunteered over 2,100 hours! Ed primarily volunteers to support opportunities in Conservation, Park Maintenance, and Special Events, opportunities like Prescribed Prairie Burns, Trail Maintenance, MVPs, and Tram Driving.
Ed has become synonymous with dependability, leadership, and skill in our agency. He developed his trail maintenance skills over time and is now one of our most experienced and respected trail team volunteers. Trail Manager, Michael Cooper shared the following about Ed Stevenson, "I have had the pleasure of working alongside Ed on numerous occasions and have witnessed firsthand his dedication, passion, and tireless commitment to improving and maintaining our parks and our trails. His hard work and selfless efforts have had a significant impact on our agency, trails, and the community." Ed enjoys working with the staff and other volunteers on different projects, noting "When I volunteer, I am around positive people". Fellow Trail Team volunteer, Jon Reed, had the following to share about Ed Stevenson: "I work with him on trail building/maintenance, now at Possum Creek, but previously at Germantown & Twin Creek. He has been a right-hand man for the park and trail managers as much as a volunteer can be. I would say that he is exactly what you might hope to have and certainly what I aspire to do for FRMP."
Ed's years of experience in a variety of opportunities have imbued him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Yet, despite his achievements, he remains grounded in humility, approaching every task with grace and a deep understanding of his role and place in our agency. He is a shining example of what volunteerism should be: coming from the heart and wanting to make a difference.
Thank you, Ed, for your outstanding commitment, dedication, and service to Five Rivers MetroParks!
Interested in volunteering to support our Conservation volunteer opportunities? Check out our Conservation volunteer opportunities here!
Meet more amazing Metroparks' volunteers in our monthly Volunteer Spotlights here.
Volunteer Services is available if you have questions or need assistance with Get Connected.
Contact us at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275 and ask to speak with a Volunteer Coordinator.
Return to the Volunteer Blog here.
