East Lansing Parks Director: Justin Drwencke Appointed

The City of East Lansing has appointed Justin Drwencke as the permanent director of its Parks, Recreation and Arts Department, ending his 11-month tenure as interim director.

Drwencke has worked for the city since 2019, holding various roles within the department before his promotion to assistant director in September 2024. In that position, he managed park and facility capital improvements from planning through completion.

"This appointment will provide the necessary leadership in the Parks, Recreation and Arts department, both for the services they provide and the challenges that we face, and opportunities that we will embrace moving forward," City Manager Robert Belleman said.

The department oversees 34 parks, the Northern Tier Trail, East Lansing Hannah Community Center, Valley Court Community Center, East Lansing Family Aquatic Center, East Lansing Soccer Complex, and East Lansing Softball Complex. It also manages recreation programs, youth sports, arts programming, the East Lansing Art Festival, Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, and East Lansing Farmers Market.

The department employs 16 full-time staff members and more than 150 part-time and seasonal workers.

"I am thrilled to continue leveraging my skills, expertise and passion to make a meaningful, positive impact on the East Lansing community as the next Director of Parks, Recreation and Arts," Drwencke said.

Drwencke holds a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary humanities from Michigan State University. He is pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree from Cornell University and expects to complete it in December.

Drwencke assumed the interim director role in July 2025 after serving in positions supporting capital improvement projects and coordinating community events.