While the Marr Park Ranger Technician position is new, the person filling it will be familiar. Jayce Horning has worked at Marr Park for the past three summers as part time help, and the Washington County Conservation Board decided he was a good fit for the job. Horning is a 2013 graduate of Mid-Prairie High School and grew up in both Washington and Wellman. After high school, he spent two years at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, getting a degree in parks and natural resources. He then attended Iowa State University and was getting ready for his second year, but when he was hired for his desired job, he elected not to return.

The position will require him to work with every member of the Marr Park staff, but he said he’s worked with them all before so there’s a level of familiarity that will help the transition. Horning is excited for the opportunity to work at the park, saying, “It is truly a dream come true. I feel very fortunate to have gotten this opportunity, especially so close to home. It really is a dream come true to be able to work in the park, as well as take care of the other parks that we manage.” Horning will start officially on August 31st, and hopes this will be the place he works until he retires.