​Fargo Park Board Race

By Bryce Vincent Haugen

There are three Fargo Park Board seats up for election June 9. Park Board President Vicki Dawson and long-time member Dr. Joe Deutsch announced their reelection bids, but board member Aaron Hill is vacating his seat to run for city commission. Emily Secor May, Andrzej Noyszewski and Tyler Sand have also announced bids.

In addition to providing a biography, we asked each of the five candidates in the race three questions. First, how does their background prepare them for this position? Second, what are their top three priorities if they were to get elected? And finally, what are the biggest opportunities and challenges that Fargo Parks faces?

About the Fargo Parks District

The Fargo Park District mission statement is “Growing community through places, spaces and experiences.” With a budget of approximately $50 million, the district — led by a five-member board — oversees 2,800 aces and offers more than 1,000 programs and 70 special events annually.

There are more than 150 parks, dog parks and skate parks run by the Fargo Park District. It also oversees 105 miles of trails, downtown’s Broadway Square, golf courses (both traditional and disc) and ice rinks, not to mention the enormous year-old Fargo Parks Sports Center, a 95,000- square-foot multi-use facility.

Vicki Dawson

Vicki Dawson, the current Fargo Park Board President, was first elected in 2018. A Senior Risk Consultant for Federated Insurance, she has volunteered as a Babe Ruth, T-ball and soccer coach, a Boy Scout leader and taught confirmation. She also served as the president of the Clara Barton Hawthorne PTA and with the Northern Region Association of Safety Professionals and Fargo Youth Hockey Association, where she helped establish the First-Start Hockey Camp, a low-cost introduction to hockey for girls and boys.

HPR: How has your background prepared you for this role?

Vicki Dawson: Vicki and her husband, Steve, raised their family in Fargo Parks. Vicki knows the impact of the ice rinks, courts, fitness center, golf courses, events, sports samplers, art classes, trails and pools have in our community.

Serving as a Fargo Parks Commissioner since 2018 has given Vicki vast knowledge of the park district. Her other board experiences helped develop the leadership skills that assist her in responsibly making decisions for the park district.

Serving Fargo residents for the past eight years has taught Vicki what is important to our community. She understands the importance of the careful budgeting of taxpayer dollars to provide facilities, parks and opportunities that are important to the health and wellbeing of our community. She understands that Fargo Parks has an obligation to serve all ages and all abilities in our community. She realizes the importance of planning for the future while taking care of the present.

HPR: Top three campaign issues?

VD: If re-elected to the Fargo Park Board, Vicki’s priorities include:

1. Continue to be an advocate for all Fargo residents. Listen to the needs and wants of our community. During Vicki’s time as a commissioner, she has ensured the Fargo Park District sought public input on parks and amenities. It is crucial those efforts continue.

2. Continue to provide affordable and accessible opportunities for everyone. All ages, capabilities and interests deserve to be served. In 2025, Fargo Parks added scholarships for adults and expanded youth scholarships through the Fargo Park District Foundation. The Foundation was developed during Vicki’s time on the Park Board.

3. Complete and implement the Fargo Park District Master Plan. This plan will ensure the success and viability of Fargo Parks for future generations. The plan’s development began in 2024 during Vicki’s time as a Park Board Commissioner.

HPR: What are the biggest opportunities/challenges for Fargo Parks?

VD: Our greatest opportunity is continuing engagement with the community. Fargo residents have wonderful ideas and can provide us with positive input about the future of Fargo Parks.

As Fargo grows, Fargo Parks has an opportunity to provide something for all ages and an obligation to ensure programs and facilities are accessible to all. As opportunities continue to be offered to youth and younger adults, we must also continue to expand the opportunities for our aging adults. These adults desire to remain active and engaged in our community. Both social and physical activities are important for their health and well-being.

The ongoing maintenance and enhancement of existing parks while adding new parks, facilities and opportunities accessible to all while being fiscally responsible is our biggest challenge. Fargo’s continued growth demands developing new neighborhood parks connected to our walking and bike paths. Caring for what we have and offering new opportunities is critical.

Dr. Joe Deutsch

Dr. Joe Deutsch is a professor of physical education and recreation at NDSU, where he trains future physical education teachers and coaches. (He also coaches several of his three sons’ sports teams.) Deutsch has served on the Park Board for 20 years. He was first elected in 2006 and most recently reelected in 2022.

HPR: How does your background prepare you for this position?

Dr. Joe Deutsch: I have watched the city's footprint grow threefold over the past 20 years and sustained growth has been (and remains) very important. As a commissioner with a background in recreation, I not only have extensive experience in the field through my academic background and years of service on the board, but I also have students who regularly apply for and fill important community jobs throughout the Fargo Parks system. In my many years of service, I have gained a deep understanding of the budgetary process, and we have worked with staff to make that more transparent and inclusive to everyone involved.

HPR: Top three campaign issues?

JD: We have worked closely with our staff to continue to develop mission and vision as we move the Park District forward. As I mentioned earlier, the city is growing rapidly, so it is important for the Park System to grow with it, but in a planned fashion that ensures appropriate services without duplicating efforts. We need to continue working closely with the city and school systems to ensure our dollars are spent collaboratively and efficiently, so we get the most out of taxpayers' dollars.

Having a strategic plan for the entire city system, as well as specific plans for Yunker Farm and Island Park, ensures we move forward at a pace that sustains growth while staying aligned with the district's priorities and values. It also ensures we continually assess inventory and prioritize based on the long-range plan and systematic growth.

HPR: What are the biggest opportunities/challenges for Fargo Parks?

JD: The biggest challenges and opportunities we face at the park district are managing growth sustainably. Growth is a great “problem” to have when we plan for the future. A perfect example is — during my last term — we completed two massive projects.

The first project completed was the opening of the Fargo Sports Complex in South Fargo. This project brings tens of thousands of people to Fargo annually and provides indoor recreational opportunities for Fargo citizens in a climate that is very cold much of the year. At the same time that we expanded, we also went back and replaced Island Park Pool in downtown Fargo, which was last updated in 1977. As we continue to grow with the city, it is important that we do not create a donut effect and forget the interior. Our park system strategic plan for the entire city helps us consistently consider and support the City of Fargo's full recreational footprint.

Emily Secor May

A Fargo native and graduate of Fargo South High School, Emily Secor May resides in Fargo with her husband and four children. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, a law degree from the University of Denver and has worked as an attorney for over 15 years. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center for the last five years.

HPR: How does your background prepare you for this role?

Emily Secor May: I am a strong communicator and relationship builder who knows how to unify people and move ideas forward. I have built trust by strengthening stewardship, championing fairness and leading with ethical, values-driven judgment. This is the kind of leadership I want to bring to the Fargo Park Board.

My professional background includes governance oversight and stewardship of programs with significant customer and monetary impact. Through my work, I have developed expertise in strategic decision‐making, policy development, collaboration, and long‐term planning — skills that align closely with the responsibilities of the Park Board and its role in supporting sustainable, community‐focused programs and spaces.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

ESM: 1. Accountability: Fargo Park Board’s key role is stewardship of shared assets and public funds, requiring responsible decision-making that aligns financial strategy with community priorities. I am committed to advocating for the best interests of Fargo, its businesses and its residents. I will ensure our parks system reflects Fargo’s evolving needs and balances short-term goals with long-term impact.

2. Engagement: Park Board decisions should be based on community-derived insights, not personal agendas. I am committed to listening to all perspectives to ensure local decisions align with community goals. Inclusive engagement and strategic collaboration lead to innovative solutions and sustainable growth.

3. Community: Fargo Parks programs and spaces should benefit the entire community, from youth to seniors, basketball to gardening. Parks encompasses more than facilities and recreation means a range of activities beyond sports. I am committed to ensuring the diversity of our spaces and programming reflects the diversity of our community.

HPR: What are the biggest opportunities/challenges for Fargo Parks?

ESM: Fargo Parks faces the challenge of balancing the budget across debt obligations, existing program and maintenance and strategic growth. The new sports complex, costing over $120 million, included over $50 million in debt. Conservative budget management is critical to account for that debt and reprioritized growth is crucial to ensure we are meeting other community needs.

The biggest opportunities for Fargo Parks are:

1. Enhanced collaboration with local organizations to meet community needs.

2. Creative solutions for existing spaces and programs. We can establish mutually beneficial partnerships with local organizations to utilize their existing services, thereby expanding Fargo Parks’ programs, increasing the number of people served and minimizing budget impact. Through enhanced community engagement, we can also identify new creative ways to utilize existing spaces in ways that create growth without significant cost.

Tyler Sand

Tyler Sand is a Fargo resident and small business owner. Sand enjoys spending recreational time outdoors in Fargo’s parks, often with his six nieces and nephews. He said his involvement with Fargo Parks started not as a candidate, but as a community member who saw a problem and chose to act.

HPR: How does your background prepare you for this position?

Tyler Sand: Professionally, I own a software consulting business where I help organizations solve complex problems, manage budgets and plan for the future. That work requires careful analysis, accountability and balancing competing priorities — all skills directly relevant to serving on the Park Board.

Beyond my professional experience, I have been actively engaged in local park and community issues, advocating for accessibility, transparency and thoughtful planning. From addressing accessibility at Orchard Glen Park to raising broader community concerns, I’ve worked within the system – and learned how persistent, engaged residents can drive real improvements.

At Orchard Glen Park, I raised concerns about accessibility after seeing that the entrance made it difficult for some residents to access the park and its trail system. I brought those concerns directly to the Park Board, and as a result, improvements were made to create a more accessible entry point. It was a meaningful step forward – and a reminder that good outcomes happen when people speak up and stay engaged.

I bring both practical experience and a community-driven perspective. I understand how decisions are made, and I’m committed to ensuring they reflect the needs of residents across all of Fargo.

HPR: Top three campaign issues?

TS: My campaign focuses on equitable investment, accessibility, and long-term planning. First, every part of Fargo deserves quality parks, facilities and recreation opportunities. We must ensure investments are balanced so all neighborhoods have access to indoor spaces, trails, and gathering places.

Second, accessibility should be built into every decision from the start. That includes physical accessibility for people of all abilities, financial accessibility so programs are affordable and transportation accessibility so residents can realistically reach and use our parks and facilities. Whether it’s a neighborhood park or a major facility like the sports complex, small design and policy choices can determine whether someone feels welcome or left out.

Third, we need stronger long-term planning. Fargo is growing, and we must proactively develop new facilities while maintaining existing ones. Thoughtful planning today will ensure our parks system continues to meet community needs for years to come.

HPR: What are the biggest opportunities/challenges for Fargo Parks?

TS: The biggest challenge facing Fargo’s parks system is keeping up with growth while using resources responsibly. As new areas develop, demand for parks, facilities and indoor recreation increases, but funding and planning must keep pace. At the same time, we can’t lose focus on maintaining existing parks and facilities, which are essential to the neighborhoods they serve.

The biggest opportunity is to be intentional about what comes next. Fargo has the chance to design a more connected and inclusive parks system, one that expands access to indoor and outdoor recreation, improves accessibility and strengthens community spaces across the entire city.

If we plan ahead and listen to residents, we can build a parks system that not only meets today’s needs, but sets a strong foundation for the future.

Andrzej Noyszewski, founder of VerumGen Labs,did not respond to multiple email requests to answer our Voter Guide questions.