Local historian Joan Fudala interviewed former Parks and Recreation employee, Terry Erickson aka "The Mud Lady" on May 22, 2023. Born in Alberta, Canada, Terry moved down to Scottsdale in 1969 with her oldest sister and brother-in-law. Terry's parents had been killed in an auto accident in Canada, and her sister adopted her. Arriving in 6th grade, Terry attended Yavapai Elementary. Her sister, Carol Erickson, labelled, "Dr. Mom," was PTA president and worked with Frances Young with the Yaqui Penjamo neighborhood families. As a teenager, Terry attended Coronado High School and knew she wanted to be like the Eldorado Park rec leaders across the street from the high school. Upon graduating, she applied for a job with Parks and Recreation. In 1976, she was hired to work at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park and worked there full-time (on part-time hours) and attended Arizona State University. She earned her Leisure Studies degree from ASU and moved on to work at Vista del Camino. She loved working with the kids and shared fond memories of being included in the Yaqui Penjamo family celebrations and rituals. She moved to Eldorado Park after seven years with Vista.
Erickson talked about earlier park events like the Halloween festivals, Las Posadas, Festival of Nations, International Doll Show, and Shutter Bug Day on the Civic Center Mall. She shared the history of Mighty Mud Mania (originally called Shout It Out Decathlon) and provides in-depth details of preparing the dirt and digging in the same spots year after year. She talked about Mayor Herb Drinkwater running the mud course one time, and that he was always at the event even if he didn't get muddy. Terry also talked about the origin of Handlebar Helpers that started at Paiute Neighborhood Center in 1994. Her last 10 years in Parks and Recreation she worked in Aquatics and said they had the best teamwork and the best trainings. After over 40 years, Terry retired in November 2019. 2019 was also the last year of Mighty Mud Mania as the COVID-19 pandemic and water conservation efforts have ended the event for the foreseeable future.
Finally, Terry talks about her new role as volunteer coordinator at the Scottsdale Historical Society.
This video is 1 hour long.
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