Since joining HKGi in 2003, Rita has been a valuable contributor to the firm's leadership and planning staff. She has served on planning teams for a variety of projects addressing park and recreation system planning, park planning, comprehensive planning, redevelopment, zoning, environmental review and strategic planning needs and issues. She is skilled at using GIS for analysis and public process. Rita has also gained substantial municipal planning experience by serving as the consulting planner for several municipalities in the metropolitan region. Most recently her leadership and grant writing skills have assisted Dakota County in securing grant funding for active living and park, trail, sidewalk and roadway improvement projects.

Rita has been active within the profession throughout her career. She is the former Professional Development Officer (PDO) for the Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA), and was awarded the 2017 Chapter Presidents Council Leadership Award from the National APA. She has also served as an Advocacy Committee Member for the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), coordinating the quarterly Sustainable Communities Forums for the chapter, and has contributed significant time to the Minnesota Design Team, serving as Chair in 2006, and leading visits to Walker and Maple Plain. She has also served as Vice Chair for her local Planning Commission.

Rita has a Bachelor's of Science in Land Use Geography and Economics from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Awards

• 2018 MN APA Excellence in Community Engagement Award for Chanhassen Park and Recreation Master Plan
• 2017 National APA Presidents Council Leadership Award
• 2009 ASLA-MN Honor Award for Planning and Research for the Saint Paul Park and Recreation Vision Plan

RITA TRAPP, AICP, LEED AP

Associate
T: (612) 252.7135
E: rita@hkgi.com