Public parks, no matter the size, are vital to every community. They offer safe places to play, relax, and connect. A clean, well-designed park often reflects a strong and healthy neighborhood.
At BFW/Marcum, we believe engineering should serve the greater good. Parks and recreation are a clear example of that commitment, and we’re growing our focus in this area.
A New Face for Parks
To expand our work in parks and recreation, we welcomed Mark Thompson to the team. Mark brings 42 years of experience in Parks and Recreation Administration and many years as a sports official at a collegiate level, giving him a unique perspective.
“I hate to disappoint, but I’m not an engineer,” Mark says. “My expertise is from the parks and recreation side. Still, engineering is where all major park improvements begin. Engineering provides the foundation for development.”
Mark knows that creating a park goes beyond planting trees or adding a playground. It begins with listening to the community, honoring the budget, environment, and landscape, and thoughtfully planning every detail.
Turning Ideas into Reality
We asked Mark what it takes to bring a park project to life.
“An engineer in a park setting needs to be an interpreter of ideas and a translator of images. The devil is in the details,” he says.
Parks staff often have a vision for what they want. It is up to the engineer to turn those ideas into a real, workable project, helping guide expectations while balancing creativity and practicality.
Managing relationships, budgets, and technical challenges is all part of the process. With Mark’s leadership, we are ready to take that challenge head-on.
Building Stronger Communities
Mark’s role in Business Development focuses on outreach to local and regional officials, especially those working on park projects and master planning. Once selected, he joins the project team to help deliver results.
His goals are simple: build strong relationships, grow our parks and recreation presence, and help create spaces where communities can thrive.
Each new project is more than a job. It is a chance to help communities build safer, healthier, and more connected spaces.
Why Parks Matter
Mark has dedicated his career to parks because he knows they are essential.
“Parks are not a luxury. They are a necessity,” he says. “They provide opportunities for exercise, mental health, reflection, and connection. They create space for everyone, whether you want to be active or just take a breath.”
In urban areas, a park often serves as everyone’s backyard. Parks offer community gardens, playgrounds, trails, pools, and green spaces that improve health and quality of life for all ages and abilities.
At BFW/Marcum, we are proud to be part of that mission.
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