John Seibert (Photo provided)
After more than 34 years of service to the city of Valparaiso, Valpo Parks Director John Seibert has announced his retirement, effective July 1, 2023. “Serving as Director of Valparaiso Parks has been the professional privilege of my life and I am so thankful for the relationships and the opportunities we have been given to serve our exceptional community,” said Seibert in his letter of retirement.
“We are extraordinarily grateful for John Seibert and his leadership. Under his guidance, our parks and programming have been recognized nationally and become an integral part of what makes Valparaiso the amazing place it is today. John’s contribution to our community is unmatched and we wish him all the best in his next chapter,” said Mayor Matt Murphy.
Under Seibert’s leadership, the city says Valpo Parks have flourished, adding signature spaces, such as ValPlayso and its Next Generation, Fairgrounds Park, Central Park Plaza, Creekside, Samardzija Field, and the upcoming Flounder and Friends Skatepark, Adult Center for Enrichment (ACE) and Valpo Sports & Recreation Campus.
In over 30 years with Seibert as Director, the Valpo Parks team, along with City and Community partners, have been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally. Valpo Parks facilities and services have received awards from organizations including the Valpo Chamber of Commerce, Porter County Tourism, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Indiana Greenways Foundation, and the Shirley Heinze Land Trust.
Last year Valpo Parks was named Outstanding Agency by the Indiana Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) for their significant contributions to the parks and recreation field and their role in improving quality of life in Valparaiso and throughout Indiana. In 2016, the American Planning Association recognized Valparaiso’s Central Park Plaza as one of “America’s Great Public Spaces.”
Seibert is the recipient of the W.W. Patty Distinguished Alumni Award from the Indiana University School of Public Health. He is a former president of the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA) and has received IPRA’s Outstanding Professional Award and its Distinguished Life Member Award. He is a past member of the National Advisory Board of the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands.
Kevin Nuppnau (Photo provided)
Kevin Nuppnau has been named Valpo Parks Director, effective July 1, 2023. The announcement from the city said Nuppnau has been with Valpo Parks since 2018, leading key projects, such as Creekside Trails, the new Flounder & Friends Skatepark and the city’s newest and largest park, Valpo Sports & Recreation Campus. Nuppnau will replace Parks Director John Seibert, who recently announced that he will retire on July 1 after more than 34 years of service. “I could not be more pleased and excited about the next chapter for Valpo Parks under the leadership of Kevin Nuppnau and our current exceptional Park staff and Board,” said Seibert.
“I look forward to continuing the positive legacy of Valpo Parks fostered by John Seibert, expanding the superior level of facilities and programming that have distinguished Valpo Parks and our community,” said Nuppnau. “It’s an exciting time to lead Valpo Parks as we continue to polish our offerings and prepare to launch positive projects as part of the Valpo for All Generations initiative.
“I’m so pleased to have someone with Kevin’s expertise and experience step into the leadership role of our esteemed Valpo Parks. Not only does Kevin have the background and talent, but he is deeply committed to his hometown of Valparaiso,” said Mayor Matt Murphy. Nuppnau joined Valpo Parks in 2018 as Business Operations Manager and was promoted to Assistant Parks Director in January 2021. Nuppnau’s first job as a teen was for Creekside Golf Course.
Nuppnau holds a master’s degree in sports administration from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Valparaiso University. Nuppnau has years of experience in sports and entertainment. He also serves as a board member for the Valparaiso Community Schools Foundation and is certified by the National Alliance for Youth Sports.
