Clifton E. French

1918 - 2006

Clifton E. French was a remarkable leader of the parks and recreation movement on the national, regional, state and local level. Throughout his career, he devoted considerable energies to numerous important professional organizations. He held key leadership positions and was recognized with honors by the National Recreation and Park Association, the National Society for Park Resources, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, and the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association. French was one of the original founding members of the American Academy for Park and Recreation in 1980. He was a tireless worker who wholeheartedly believed in the value of the park and recreation profession and proved his dedication through his active participation and leadership with these organizations.

French was one of the first students to major in Recreation Leadership at the University of Minnesota and he left an incredible legacy in the State of Minnesota through his 50 plus year career. After early career positions at the University of Minnesota and the City of Edina, he was selected as the first Superintendent to lead today's nationally-recognized and award winning County park system, now named Three Rivers Park District. His 22-year tenure at the Hennepin County Park Reserve District marked a tremendous time of growth. The system increased from 400 to 24,000 acres, including seven large park reserves, several smaller regional parks, a multi-use trail corridor, and other special-use facilities. He was a staunch advocate for natural resources conservation in a rapidly growing metropolitan area and his efforts are still being lauded today.

French was a visionary who understood that the value of teamwork far outweighed a lone effort. He was instrumental in the development of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Regional Park and Open Space System. In 1974, the Park District joined six other counties and the Metropolitan Council in advocating legislation for the creation of a regional park system, including capital financing in the amount of $40 million for acquisition and development of regional parks.

French led the effort to establish significant cooperative agreements with metro area counties and municipalities to achieve this regional parks system. Regular state funding for the regional parks system has annually provided millions of dollars for regional park acquisition and development.

Upon his retirement from the Park District, French became the executive director for the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association for five years. Today, the MRPA's award of highest distinction bestowed upon a professional has been re-named the Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award.

Clifton French deeply believed in the necessity to establish standards of excellence in the field of parks and recreation. His boundless drive to mentor fellow professionals to provide outstanding service and inspirational leadership has had a profound impact on the local and national level. Clif's encouraging words to his staff and his fellow professionals still resonate brilliantly today... "the future is bright, so keep up the great work, because there is still much to be done". 

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