Hillsboro News

Print
Font Size: + -

Meet Ryan Stee: Parks & Recreation Project Manager

A 5th generation Oregonian with a love of the outdoors, community, and creativity, Ryan Stee contributes his knowledge of design and planning to the City of Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department so that community members feel a sense of safety and inclusion.

Currently, Ryan is leading the Community-Guided Parks & Recreation System Plan project, which is open for feedback on Engage Hillsboro.

We asked Ryan to share his thoughts on his work and what’s ahead.

Ryan Stee hiking


Tell us more about yourself.

I grew up in Prineville, Oregon (near Bend) on a small farm raising 4-H cattle and going to my brother’s rodeos. I wanted to be a bull rider, but mom said no, so that was the end of that.

 

I come from a family of long-time Oregon farmers. I went to college in Arizona to study design (architecture, interiors, landscape and planning) where I started my career in planning and urban design. Since I was a kid, I always wanted to be a creator — someone that serves the community and builds things — that’s what brought me to civil service and now parks.  

Ryan Stee in 4H

What led you to work for the City of Hillsboro?

I was looking for a change — my next step from the City of Lake Oswego. What caught my attention and sold me on Hillsboro was the focus on inclusion. The idea that I could show up to work as my authentic self and not have to hide or playdown who I am was a big deal.

 

I have always been an out gay guy, but not everywhere did I feel safe to just be myself as I do here. For individuals like me, that is a big deal. To be welcomed as you are and even celebrated makes a big difference in a person's work life — and life in general. That’s what sold me on Hillsboro.

What is it like to spend a day doing your job?

Well, it tends to start out with a plan to complete a few tasks, at least, but ends up with doing a dozen other things not on that list. In all seriousness, it's never boring, there is more than enough to do. I spend a lot of time connecting to other people, going over details for projects, and currently, I’m focusing on the Community-Guided Parks & Recreation System Plan.

 

This project is one of the most exciting projects I have worked on in my career. Focusing on authentically connecting to a variety of communities that have been or are currently being marginalized is a big task that I feel privileged to take on. For this project, everything is in the details, so we spend quite a bit of time thinking those out.

How does your job directly benefit Hillsboro community members?

I hope the work I do is creating a sense of “place” and a culture of inclusion. Those are very lofty goals, but I try to make the projects I work on the best quality. I take extra care when planning and managing these projects and I like to think 50+ years into the future to assure they are a positive aspect in the community.

Ryan Stee community engagement

What do you do for fun?

I love nature — particularly being in the woods and going camping, hiking, trail running, and exploring when I can. I even love an alpine climb here and there.

 

Spending time with my friends is a top priority. Most people don’t know that I am an introvert and a homebody. I spend time gardening and cooking when I have the time as well. I am also an amateur woodworker and like to build and create items for my home, my last project being a garden shed.

For mental health and happiness, I like to get out and trail run or do some weightlifting. I volunteer and currently serve on a parks board in a neighboring community, as well as visit other communities to talk about LGBTQ+ issues, inclusion, and mental health.

 Ryan Stee climbing Mt. Hood

Who inspires you?

This may sound a little goofy and vague, but I find inspiration in people who are unapologetically, authentically themselves in a kind and caring way. I am in awe of people who follow their passions and follow their dreams while uplifting others.

Tell us something people wouldn’t guess about you?

Most people see me as maybe a bubbly, gregarious person. Well, this isn’t such a secret since I have been presenting about anxiety to City of Hillsboro staff, but I’ve had severe and debilitating anxiety for about 37 years and counting.

I have gone from suffering to managing (for the most part) my anxiety over the past 12 years or so. It's such a significant part of my life and it has shaped how I see the world and interact with it. That is why I started speaking about my experience in hopes of helping others with their own journey in going from suffering to managing anxiety and mental health challenges.

 

Meet More City of Hillsboro Employees

Return to full list >>