The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department is proud to announce that Lauryn Kabrich, Park Planner, has been named one of the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) prestigious “30 Under 30” professionals for 2025. This recognition highlights Lauryn’s outstanding contributions to our community through her innovation, leadership, and commitment to equity and environmental resilience.
Lauryn’s work has made a lasting impact on Raleigh’s parks and communities.
As a project manager, her dedication to securing critical funding has resulted in transformative projects, including a $300,000 Accessibility for Parks grant that supported the universal design-focused renovation of a neighborhood playground, as well as an $8.7 million Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant for a major stream restoration and catalytic park development in Downtown Raleigh.
Additionally, Lauryn has spearheaded partnerships between Raleigh Parks and private developers, yielding millions in public benefit contributions. Her leadership in leveraging public-private partnerships has advanced Raleigh’s goals for environmental resilience, equity, and multimodal connectivity, ensuring parks and greenways meet the needs of a growing and diverse community.
“Lauryn’s innovative ideas, relentless commitment to equitable engagement, and ability to deliver impactful projects embody the values of Raleigh Parks,” said TJ McCourt, Planning Supervisor. “Her recognition as one of NRPA’s ‘30 Under 30’ is a well-deserved honor, and we are thrilled to see her leadership celebrated on a national stage.”
The NRPA’s “30 Under 30” honors young professionals who are shaping the future of parks and recreation through their work. This year’s honorees were selected based on their impact on their agency’s community, contributions to the professional development of the field, and innovative ideas or programs that elevate the profession.
Lauryn now joins an exclusive network of rising leaders who inspire the next generation of park professionals. Her recognition reflects the vision and dedication she brings to every project and her enduring commitment to the people of Raleigh.
Learn more about Lauryn Kabrich’s work and the NRPA’s “30 Under 30” program.