MISSION STATEMENT
To promote a better quality of life and higher community pride in Platte County through parks, trails, recreational amenities and opportunities.
To accomplish our mission we intend to:
- Raise awareness of our Platte County Parks, Trails and Recreation
- Preserve and enhance the amenities we have by getting folks involved
- Promote and support continued recreational developments
- Thus improving our quality of life in Platte County
You can join us in making a difference in Platte County. Find out about PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO DO, WHAT’S HAPPENING and meet new FRIENDS. Join the Friends of Platte County Parks & Recreation TODAY to get connected. You will receive a regular newsletter and information on special events. Go to FRIENDS to get more information.
THE FRIENDS OF PLATTE COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION
Board of Directors
Margie Maasen, President
Having served as a Commissioner including Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary on the Platte County Board of Park Commissioners for ten years, Margie had the opportunity to participate in planning for the growth of the County Park system. She served on the Platte Profile 2020 Vision committee as well as update in 2007, Northland Trails Vision committee, Platte County Land Use Plan committee, Platte County Parks Master Planning committee initially and in 2008, Platte County Community Centers committee and participated in groups and committees related to parks and recreation. Margie remains an active member of the KCMO/Platte County Park Partners ad hoc group, KCMO/Platte County Trails Committee, Line Creek Valley Development Planning committee, KCI Planning committee, and participates in planning efforts with opportunities for recreation in Platte County. Margie lives and works in Platte County as a Realtor with Reece & Nichols. She is interested in developing affordable; bungalow style homes in Platte County. She is married to Mike Maasen and they have three wonderful children together. They live in Kansas City, MO, in Platte County.
Margie has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business from the University of Maryland. Though having attended college in Iowa and Maryland, she and Mike were born and raised in Kansas City North and moved back here in 1985. She has been actively involved with her children through various PTA’s and school committee’s, sports and church activities as they were growing up. Their youngest child is at Park Hill High School and enjoys swimming as a team sport. Mike and Margie enjoy community service and are actively involved in their church. Margie loves the outdoors – walking, riding bikes, exploring, gardening, traveling, being with friends and family as well as movies and music.
Neil Davidson, Treasurer
Neil is the Treasurer for the Friends of Platte County Parks and Recreation non-profit group. He is also a member of the Parkville Rotary Club, a member of the Mid America Regional Council Bike/Pedestrian & MetroGreen Committees, a member of the Platte County Land Trust, past Chairman of the Platte County Board of Park Commissioners, Secretary of the Platte County Board of Park Commissioners and past Chairman of the Northland Chamber Parks Committee. Neil is retired from TWA after working for 31 years in the Aircraft Engineering Department.
He and his lovely wife, Clarice, live in Parkville and make it their home base for their many worldwide travels. Neil enjoys walking, biking and exploring trails, parks and canoeing. He also plays volleyball.
James Shoemaker, Secretary
Jim’s formal training is in Landscape Architecture, receiving his B.S. from Iowa State University with a minor in City Planning. He worked as a Landscape Architect and in Planning for Nason, Law, Wherman and Knight of Minneapolis. He worked as a City Planner for Louisville and Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission in Louisville, KY. He worked in Long Range Planning for six years for Kansas City, MO Planning Department. He worked as a Planner and Landscape Architect for Ochsner and Associates of Kansas City, Missouri.
For the last 27 years of Jim’s professional career, prior to retirement, he worked as a Park Planner with the Kansas City, MO Parks and Recreation Department. Jim is a Registered Professional Landscape Architect in the State of Missouri. He resides in Platte Woods, Missouri.
Brian P. Nowotny, Advisory member (non-voting)
Brian is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional and is the Secretary-Elect of the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association. Brian also serves on the MetroGreen Technical Advisory Group and the Transportation Enhancements Committees of the Mid-America Regional Council and the Parks and Recreation and Leadership Committees of the Northland Chamber of Commerce.
Brian lives in Weston, Missouri with his family where he enjoys the many outdoor wonders of Platte County including running and bicycling.
Friends of Platte County Parks & Recreation
Address: P. O. Box 901355,
Kansas City, MO 64190
Phone: (816) 746-6848
Email: info@friendsofplattecountyparks.org
