Ronald A. Olson developed a passion for recreation growing up in Minnesota. Olson received his bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation Administration at the University of Minnesota. The bulk of Olson's career was spent leading parks systems. He served 11 years as Superintendent of Parks and Director of Parks for the City of Rockville Parks and Recreation Department, Maryland. He spent 23 years as Superintendent of Parks and Recreation for the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, later serving as Associate City Administrator on two separate occasions.
He oversaw 104 state parks, 19 harbors, 1300 boating access sites and 13,500 miles of motorized and non-motorized trails. Before his retirement in 2025, the state park system had expanded from 97 state parks to 104 state parks and added key facilities including the unique Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit and new state parks in Detroit and Flint, Michigan.
Some of his career highlights :
- Two-time National Gold Medal Award Finalist for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in Rockville, Maryland.
- Overwhelming passage of three parks millages in Ann Arbor, Michigan, enabling the nationally recognized Natural Areas Preservation program.
- Transformation of Michigan State Park and Recreation system into a vibrant, self supporting system that won the National Gold Medal Award in the state park category.
Here are some of his other awards and recognitions:
- GB Fitzgerald Student of the Year, University of Minnesota.
- Fellowship award, Michigan Recreation and Park Association.
- Eunice Burns Environmental Awareness Award, Ann Arbor Board of Realtors.
- 50 years of Service to Conservation Award, Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
- WW Patti Distinguished Alumni Award, Indiana University.