From early community involvement as a child and transformative years with AmeriCorps to eventually becoming the superintendent of Elkhart Parks and Recreation, Jamison Czarnecki has always fostered a commitment to community and service. Now in his fourth year as superintendent, Czarnecki is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in his hometown.
Growing up in Elkhart, Czarnecki was an active member of the Boy Scouts. In high school, he was involved in the Youth Action Committee, a club at Elkhart Memorial High School (now Elkhart High School). These early experiences were just the beginning of Czarnecki’s desire to create positive change.
After graduating high school, he initially planned to pursue hospitality management, even attending massage school. However, his plans changed when he discovered AmeriCorps.
“There was a program called EnviroCorps here in the city, which was an AmeriCorps state program,” Czarnecki said. “I really admired the work they were doing. When I spoke to people in the program and told them I loved what they were doing but wanted to travel, they suggested I join AmeriCorps NCCC. I was hooked immediately. I’ve always had a love for adventure and traveling, and the idea of doing national service while exploring other communities really appealed to me.”
Czarnecki joined AmeriCorps NCCC, starting as a corps member in a year-long program that took him across the southeastern United States, based out of Mississippi. He quickly rose to the role of team leader for his second year in AmeriCorps. The experience reshaped his perspective and redirected his career aspirations.
“When I joined AmeriCorps, I saw that I had previously had a very selfish career in mind,” Czarnecki said. “Being part of the program, I realized that I wanted to do something that was more socially impactful.”
After two years in the AmeriCorps, inspired to continue making an impact, Czarnecki went to the University of California, Santa Cruz to study environmental sustainability. He then pursued several internships and jobs in California related to carbon neutrality and waste reduction.
Inspired to continue making an impact, Czarnecki enrolled at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he studied environmental sustainability. This brought him several internships and jobs related to carbon neutrality and waste reduction.
In 2017, after a six-month backpacking trip through South America, Czarnecki returned to Elkhart to visit family, planning to soon go off on his next venture. While visiting, he learned of an open position for the director at the Elkhart Environmental Center. Encouraged by the previous director, he applied and was hired.
During his time as director, Czarnecki oversaw several capital improvement projects that enhanced the center’s programming. This caught the attention of city leaders, who encouraged him to apply for the role of superintendent of Elkhart Parks and Recreation.
Now in his fourth year as superintendent, Czarnecki is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Elkhart.
“What really drew me to parks and recreation was the opportunity to make my hometown even better than it was when I grew up here,” Czarnecki said. “That’s what brought me back here — the chance to make a meaningful impact in my own community. Parks and recreation is an opportunity to make a significant, positive impact.”
For Czarnecki, the most rewarding aspect of his role as superintendent is being able to create spaces and events that bring a sense of connection to residents.
“Getting to enhance the community’s quality of place — whether through updating infrastructure with new playgrounds or identifying events and programs that people really want to be a part of — truly excites me most about this role,” Czarnecki said.
When he’s not at work, Czarnecki enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He also enjoys kayaking, hiking, and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops.
“There’s a true sense of neighborliness in Elkhart,” Czarnecki said. “I’ve traveled to a lot of places, but I always enjoy the way people here smile and say hello. I truly love the sense of community in Elkhart.”