Shawn Sachs, JC Parks Sr. Parks Maintenance Worker
Shawn Sachs has been with JC Parks for twelve years, serving the department as a Parks Maintenance Worker. This year, he got to add “Senior” to that title, having received a promotion that bumps him up in responsibility on the Landscape and Beautification crew.
“Every day is a little different,” he shared, “Sometimes we’re planting flowers, other times cutting up trees, building flower beds — the work we do really just helps make the parks ‘pop’, you could say.”
In his transition to being a Sr. Parks Maintenance Worker, Shawn has started to share his knowledge and skills with other crew members. Using his experience, he’s now supervising others on equipment usage, processes, and pro-tips to get the job done well.
One of Shawn’s favorite projects to work on has been Community Park. While the playground itself is unique and fun for residents and visitors, the landscaping and grounds work is also incredible. Though the four-person crew works hard across the park system, that work is often in the background.
“People notice it, though. They love to see the flowers we’ve planted, the freshly cut grass,” he said. “The public likes that and they really let us know so with their appreciation.”
Joshua Cochran, JC Parks Sr. Parks Maintenance Worker
A golf enthusiast and State Tech graduate in Commercial Turf and Grounds Management, Joshua Cochran is right at home at Oak Hills Golf Center. Since joining the team, Josh has contributed to the four-person crew that maintains the course’s greens, and his hard work earned him a promotion this fall to Senior Parks Maintenance Worker.
“I met the needs and got the promotion,” he humbly shared.
During the summer Josh oversees seasonal staff working on turf at Oak Hills Golf Center, while in other seasons he fills in the gaps here, there, and everywhere. During winter months, Josh and his crew drain the water systems, winterize the irrigation pipes, organizes the shop, and check over equipment to prepare for the next growing season.
“We’re looking forward to Hole 18 opening to the public in May next year,” he shared. “Lots of people have been asking for improvements out there and are excited about it.”
After hiring a design firm and construction contractor to renovate the hole to meet USGA standards, the turf management crew have assumed the responsibility of growing in the greens and maintaining them for play.
He enjoys his work at JC Parks, and would like folks to know — keeping the golf center playable and beautiful is a full-time, hands-on job.
“It’s a lot more work than you might think,” he said, “It’s in the background, golfers enjoy the course but sometimes don’t know how much time and effort goes into this; we work hard to make it great.”
Caleb Blakely, Parks Maintenance Worker and Licensed Pesticide Applicator
Caleb Blakely is “licensed to kill” invasive plants and weeds across JC Parks. Earlier this fall Caleb received his pesticide applicators license, which allows him to properly mix and apply pesticides without need of direct supervision.
“We have a lot of invasive species, especially bush honeysuckle, in most if not all of the parks,” he said, “this will be helpful because after removing those we can establish more natural and native communities.”
As a member of the Landscaping and Beautification crew, Caleb’s job changes from season to season and even day to day. From spring plantings to warmer months of invasive plant management, all the way through leaf removal and winterizing landscape beds, each day has something new to offer — and Caleb has been eager to contribute to the beauty of our parks since joining the department in May of 2025.
“It’s great to see a project through from start to finish,” he said, “seeing a space go from dirt fill to a grown-out flowerbed with mulching is really nice.”
