Parks employees win State Maintenance Rodeo competition

A City of Temple Parks and Recreation duo brought home their second State Championship recently at the Texas Parks and Recreation Society State Maintenance Rodeo.

Temple employees Kenneth Chapman and David Cobb won their second state championship in irrigation assembly March 11 in Frisco.

“Of all the state competitions I’ve been to over the years, this one was run the best. Kudos to the city of Frisco, it was well organized,” Cobb said.

Cobb and Chapman defended their state championship, and though they were excited to repeat, Chapman said nothing could beat the excitement of winning for the first time.

“Winning the second was great, but winning that first one will never be topped,” he said.

Cobb and Chapman were joined by their colleague Joe Mitchell, who competed in the backpack blower competition. Mitchell placed fifth in his first time competing at the state level.

“The experience was amazing to me and I really enjoyed being a part something that represented the city of Temple and showing that our department has talent,” Mitchell said. “I placed fifth in the state this time, but next year it’s straight to the top.”

The Temple participants qualified for the state competition last November when the City of Temple hosted the 2020 Central Region Maintenance Rodeo at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic & Convention Center. Temple Parks and Recreation is scheduled to host the regional competition again in 2021.