On April 22, 2022, Mark K. Celsor passed suddenly.

Mark or as many knew him as "Mr. Community" was the man behind many amazing improvements in Mt. Washington and nearly every community he served as member of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission.

Therefore, we are petitioning the City of Cincinnati Recreation Commission to rename the Mt. Washington Recreation Center the CELSOR RECREATION CENTER to honor his lifetime of community to the residents of Mt. Washington and City of Cincinnati 

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This is how Mark touched and held so many.

In 1975 Mark began working at Cincinnati Recreation Commission [CRC] as a lifeguard during the summers, when home from college. He would later work as Recreation Leader in his spare time.

Began working full time for CRC on July 20th, 1980 when he was hired as a Community Center Director. During his tenure he worked at Oakley, LeBlond, Hirsch, Saylor Park and Fountain Square / Special Events.

Promoted to Recreation Special Coordinator 1989 – 1995, where he served as the supervisor over recreation centers on the city’s east side.

Mark was laid off from CRC in the 1980s. During that time, instead of collecting unemployment, Mark worked at Old World Restoration, where he developed a fondness for collectibles, antiquities and began his renowned art collection then.

In 1996, Mark co-founded the RiverTrek program which took fifty teenagers on a five-day seventy-mile trip down the Little Miami and Ohio Rivers. Many of the teens selected to participate in the program had never been outside of their urban neighborhoods.

Served on the Mount Washington Elementary School. LSDMC [local school decision making committee). Regularly attended community council meetings in Oakley, Mount Washington, Hyde Park, California, Lynnwood, East End.

Mark was the visionary for the new Mount Washington Recreation Center. He worked with multiple, community council presidents, city council members, and residents to achieve the building of a new Recreation Center. The new center, dedicated in 2005 on Mears Ave in Mount Washington would never had been built if it weren’t for Marks efforts. 

He was promoted to Service Area Coordinator in 1995 and prior to his retirement was promoted to Parks and Recreation Regional Coordinator 

Mark retired from the Cincinnati Recreation Commission on December 31, 2010 after 35 years of service. 

After retirement, he remained active with CRC and community projects.

Honors noted in Mark’s CRC Personnel Jacket include,

• 2007 - Fest for Success- presented by Walnut Hills High School 
• 1999 & 2000 - Season Good Innovation in Government Award - High Risk Comic Project and River Trek 
• 1999 - Common Sense Distributor and Marketing Award – Mt. Washington Toast to the Tower Event 
• 1998 - Ohio Parks and Recreation Association O.P.R.A. Special Projects Award - 1000 Hands Playground Project 
• 1997 – Cincinnati Neighborhood Action Award – 1997 Flood
• 1997 & 1994 - Employee Merit Award Cincinnati Recreation Commission
• 1996 - Mt. Washington 150th event co-chair “A Day in History” Award  
• 1993 - President’s Award Downtown Residents Council of the Great Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce
• 1990 - Contributing Writer/Columnist for Round the Square (downtown local newspaper) 

Certifications

• 2008 & 2009 - Executive Development Program – The Indiana University 
• 2006 American Canoe Association – Certified Canoe Instructor 
• 2008 FEMA Certification
• 2000 Maximo Certification

 

Education

• Graduate of Wittenberg University - Bachelor of Fine Arts 1978

Supported

• The United Way 
• Kidney Awareness Week 
• National Night Out 

Major Contributor to the following CRC Departmental programs: 

• Kids Fest 
• River Trek
• Fountain Square Ice Skating Rink
• Children’s Foundation
• Winter Fest 
• Oktoberfest
• Swim Derby 

https://www.facebook.com/mark.k.celsor

https://www.facebook.com/cincyrec/videos/1157101687686005