The Fargo Park District is governed by a board of elected park commissioners. The five Commissioners are elected at large, meaning that every citizen has an opportunity to vote for each of them. Commissioners are elected for four-year terms with no term limits.
The Fargo Park Board regularly meets on the second Tuesdays of each month except in August and September when the meeting is held on the first Tuesday. A schedule of meetings is listed on the Park Board Schedule page. Meetings begin at 5:30 pm and are held in the Alex Stern Family Foundation Community Room on the main floor at the Fargo Parks Sports Center at 6100 38th St S, Fargo, North Dakota. The agenda for regular meetings is available on the Park Board Meetings page by the Friday before the meeting. Agendas for the Fargo Park Board meetings are also posted in The Forum on the Monday prior to the meeting.
Citizens wishing to address the Park Board may do so during the Recognition of Audience portion of each regular meeting agenda. Those wanting to address the Board must sign up in advance of the meeting on the sheet in the Board Room. Each citizen who signs up to address the Board is asked to state their name and address for the record. The Board is interested in hearing citizen comments and will listen carefully but may not respond or debate issues in this forum. To allow the most opportunity for engagement with as many residents as possible, each speaker is asked to keep their remarks to the board to 3 minutes or less. All comments are made to the Board and not to individuals in the audience. The Board will not hear personal complaints against any person connected with the park district. Comments must address topics that are on the agenda. If a citizen would like to address a topic to the park board agenda, arrangements must be made with Fargo Park District staff by noon the Monday prior to the scheduled meeting. Groups of individuals addressing a common concern are asked to designate a spokesperson.
Following the regular Fargo Park Board meetings, video of the meeting is posted by the following week on the Park Board Meetings page. Re-broadcast of Fargo Park Board Meetings is available on Thursdays at 9:00 pm and Fridays at 4:00 pm on Channel 56. This channel is only broadcast in the City of Fargo and is viewable by Sparklight and Midco customers. Meeting minutes are posted approximately 2 days after board approval at the following month’s regular meeting.
All Park Board Members serve regular and ad hoc committee assignments, with representatives from the staff. The Park Board committees include: Administration, Enterprise, Facilities and Recreation. Board committees are used to support the work of the Fargo Park District, discuss current issues facing the district and establish district policies. The committee meeting schedule is posted on the Park Board Meetings page. Meeting dates and start times vary by committee. Agendas for committee meetings are available as they become available on the Park Board Meetings page. Committee meetings are not typically recorded. Meeting minutes are posted within 14 days following the meeting.
Day to day operations are managed by the Executive Director of Parks and Recreation.
If you have questions regarding upcoming Board meetings or would like to see a topic added to an upcoming meeting, please contact the Park District offices at 701-499-6060.
Upcoming Meetings
Nov 12
Nov 20
Nov 27
Dec 10
MEET THE FARGO PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEMBERS (Click arrows for details)
Vicki Dawson, Board Vice President
Vicki Dawson was reelected for her second term in 2022, originally joining the Board in 2018. Prior to her reelection, Vicki had been serving as the Fargo Park Board President. Vicki is a Senior Risk Consultant for Federated Insurance. As a Certified Safety Professional, Vicki works with businesses to improve their safety practices. Volunteering on youth centered boards and for youth organizations has been a focus for Vicki. Vicki and her husband Steve live in Fargo with their sons Ben and Nick. Vicki's three adult stepsons, Charlie, Matt and Joe along with their families (which include seven grandchildren) also live in our community. Fargo Parks is an important part of her family's life. They enjoy everything from the baseball fields to the tennis courts to the hockey rinks to the pools and the parks.
Jerry Rostad
Jerry was re-elected to the Board in June of 2024, originally joining the Fargo Park Board for his first term in 2016. As the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Engagement for the North Dakota University System, he provides public affairs and strategy leadership for the North Dakota University System office and the 11 institutions of the NDUS. He retired as a Captain in the Navy Reserve after 28 years of service. He serves on the Board of Directors of FM Athletics and the Roger Maris Celebrity Golf Tournament. He also volunteers with the Growing Together community garden project. Jerry and his wife Tami raised two sons and his family has been active users of Park District amenities.
Joe Deutsch
Joe Deutsch was reelected for his fifth term in 2022, originally joining the Board in 2006. A native of Fargo, Joe grew up in the Fargo Park District, riding his bike daily to go play baseball at Mickelson and golfing at El Zagal. This is a tradition he has tried to carry on, raising his own children here in Fargo. As a professor at North Dakota State University, Dr. Deutsch prepares Physical Education Teachers, Coaches, and Recreation Specialists. Joe is married to his wife Brandi and has three sons. In his free time, Joe enjoys any recreational opportunities he can get with his family as well as coaching several of his sons’ sports.
Aaron Hill, Board President
Aaron Hill was elected to his first term on the Fargo Park Board in 2022. Aaron and his wife, Brianne, live in north Fargo with their three children Graham, Bennett and Evelyn. He is a co-founder of Fargo Brewing Company and has been actively engaged in the community his entire career. Aaron and his family enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities and love to spend time outdoors.
Zoë Absey
Zoë Absey was elected to her first term on the Fargo Park Board in June of 2024. Zoë serves as the Community Initiatives Manager at the Great Plains Food Bank where she works closely with communities to fill gaps in food access. Zoë has a passion for community and spends her free time serving on multiple different boards and committees to make sure our neighbors have what they need to thrive. She currently lives in North Fargo with her partner, Joe, and their cat Ava. Having grown up in Fargo, Zoë has a deep connection to Fargo's parks and recognizes that everyone should have access to these spaces. She loves to play pickleball and go on walks!
How to Become a Board Member.
Are you interested in running for a seat on the Fargo Park Board? Please contact the City of Fargo Auditor’s office at 701-241-1301 for more information or visit the City of Fargo's page, 'Running for City Office.'