Meet Jake Reardon-McSoley, New Fishers Recreation & Wellness Director

Writer / Noah Alatza
Photographer / Walker Photography 

Jake Reardon-McSoleyJake Reardon-McSoley has always had a passion for improving the quality of life for others. His extensive background in the nonprofit sector has helped to shape communities through his work at the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. Most recently he spent 16 years at the Fishers YMCA, including seven years as executive director. 

In July the longtime Fishers resident was named to a newly created position for the city, recreation and wellness director.

Reardon-McSoley says he will work to improve quality of life and promote health initiatives for residents across the city. 

Fishers has a lot of exciting projects going on, including work at Geist Waterfront Park, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2023,” he says. We are excited to build out an operation plan for the community that will work to incorporate more impactful initiatives. We want to offer other programs and partnership opportunities.”

He says he will continue to consult with and advise many stakeholders in the community on quality-of-life initiatives, including plans for a new community center in the city. 

We are internally developing plans for a Fishers community center that will be a diamond here in the community,” Reardon-McSoley says. Im really working as a liaison between the mayor up and down as we see various opportunities. I want to help bring those opportunities to the mayor and deputy mayor for potential quality-of-life projects.”

Jake Reardon-McSoleyThe newly created position is separate from the parks director role, but Reardon-McSoley says he will work closely with many city departments including the parks department. 

I wake up every morning extremely excited to come into work and Im thankful for the opportunity,” he says. I love living in Fishers and it is truly a great community already, but I have some opportunities that I think we can focus on, especially the live and play aspect of it. That is what this role is all about. I think my role in particular has an exciting opportunity to lend a vision to help Fishers become a world-class community and become a model for other communities to strengthen their quality of life.” 

Reardon-McSoley says mental health is another key component of quality of life for residents in Fishers and across the nation. 

Im proud our community already focuses on mental health because it is important and something on my mind,” he says. “Quality of life can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but in a nutshell, a lot of things are interrelated. There are several studies that indicate spending time in nature at any of our parks here in Fishers has mental and physical health benefits, so I am looking at opportunities that can strengthen our community. We have a great place to live, but how do we build upon that and make meaningful relationships? That is also another important aspect of mental health.” 

Reardon-McSoley says he is ready to push Fishers to the next level while ensuring all residents have their voices heard on ways to improve the community. 

Im willing to listen, but above all Im ready to maintain and continue to improve upon our great citys incredible quality-of-life initiatives,” he says.

Comments 1

  1. jerry sterchi says:

    Congratulations Jake ! It is one thing to care and help those who have lost their health. The pleasure that you’ll enjoy is to be that ounce that prevents the loss of health, rather than the pound of needed resourses to restore a loss of health.. You’ll be the lantern to shine on the road to a better life. You might even earn a new name like Jake O’ Lantern

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