Prior Lake parks and recreation manager Steve Hart has been named the city’s 2025 Employee of the Year.

As the parks and recreation manager since December 2021, he has gone above and beyond this year, according to city manager Jason Wedel.

Wedel added that Hart led the recent parks and trails referendum and was instrumental in informing residents about the plan through initiating town hall meetings with local organizations and spearheaded efforts to get the word out. The goal of reaching out to residents to make sure they were informed at the polls was a great success and in large part because of Hart’s efforts.

Hart is a certified park and recreation professional who supervises staff and oversees the city’s park planning, development, community recreation programs and park facilities. He manages departmental budgets, helps maintain parks, promotes community engagement through sports and oversees the management of events like Muddy Buddy Run, DecemBRRR Dazzle and ChalkFest.