Eagan honors Paula Nowariak for 39 years in parks and recognizes Eagan Hockey Association for Goat Hill Park partnership

The Eagan City Council on Jan. 21 recognized Paula Nowariak's retirement after 39 years with the city and formally thanked the Eagan Hockey Association for its partnership on the Goat Hill Park redevelopment.

Director Andrew Pimentel (Parks & Recreation) opened the recognition of Nowariak, calling her a longtime recreation supervisor and administrative analyst who "has dedicated her last 39 years working with kids, shaping our community, and creating memories throughout this community that lasts a lifetime." Former hiring officials and long-time colleagues—Ken Brahe and Dorothy (last name not specified in the transcript)—spoke about hiring Nowariak in the 1980s and recounted an early program tale from her internship years.

Paula Nowariak, who spoke to the council, thanked staff, the council and her family and reflected on programs she helped start and lead, including fun runs, Holtz Farm Camps, outdoor skating lessons and years of work on the Civic Arena and Cascade Bay. "Eagan is such a special place to live and work," she said, and thanked colleagues and community volunteers.

The council presented a traditional token of appreciation and remarks highlighted the length and breadth of her service. "You've made a difference, and it cannot be measured by the number of hours that you've worked, it's measured in the smiles and the memories you've created," Pimentel said.

Later in the meeting the council also formally recognized the Eagan Hockey Association (EHA) for its multi-year partnership on the Goat Hill Park winter destination project. Assistant Director Andrew (Andrew Pimentel) and staff described a multi-phase redevelopment that began with a pilot refrigerated rink and grew into a full-size rink with volunteer and donor support. Staff said EHA brought roughly $1.13 million in private funding and substantial volunteer labor, and the city added funds for a warming house and pavilion.

Christian Tomald, president of EHA, accepted the recognition and thanked volunteers including Mike Larson and others who have supported the multi-year effort. "Every year, Andrew, as you said, we iterate and we improve and we appreciate the opportunity to play a part in this fantastic amenity for our community," Tomald said.

Why it matters: the acknowledgments mark long-term civic contributions—Nowariak's decades of program leadership and EHA's public-private partnership that expanded winter recreation opportunities at Goat Hill Park.

What's next: the city said it will install a commemorative plaque at the site recognizing the EHA contribution and will continue to support the facility through operations and partnership.