Shakopee Snapshot: Summer 2025

PUBLIC WORKS

From a summer job to a 46-year career Glenn Heyda celebrates milestone work anniversary There’s something special about Gorman Street for Shakopee native Glenn Heyda. went from needing three plow operators on a route to just one.

The same thing happened with mow ers. We used to use tractors with a six-foot mower deck mounted to the tractor. Then we got Toro 5910s, which had three decks and could cut a width of 18 feet, making the process much more efficient and reduc ing the number of operators needed.

Growing up in Shakopee, back when the sprawling suburb was a small rural town, Heyda played baseball at the fields on Gorman Street in the very location that would eventually be home to his workplace of 46 years: Shakopee Public Works. Heyda’s journey into Public Works began in 1979 when he was hired as a seasonal park worker. On May 8, 1985, he officially joined the team as a full-time park operator. Shakopee’s population at the time was about 12,000. Today, that number has soared to more than 47,000—a massive 292% increase. Also in 1985, Canterbury Downs (now Canterbury Park) opened its doors, attracting visitors eager for the thrill of horse racing. Other local attractions, including Valleyfair and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, were also expanding, increasing the demand for well-maintained roads, parks, and city infrastructure. With nearly five decades of experience and knowledge under his belt, Heyda now spends a significant portion of his time training and men toring seasonal workers, bringing his career full circle as he guides the next generation of passionate civil servants. Heyda sat down for an interview to reflect on his career and how his line of work has changed over the course of 46 years: What advice would you give to new Public Works employees? Heyda: They better be ready to do a variety of jobs and enjoy work ing indoors and out. Be able to work on the fly and be ready to switch gears at any moment. What’s something the general public might not realize about Pub lic Works? Heyda: How much our families are affected by the job. Kids’ events, family functions—our odd hours mean we sometimes have to miss out. People also don’t always realize that after plowing all day or night, we still have to go home and shovel our own driveways and sidewalks. The same goes for mowing, tree trimming, and other tasks. What has kept you passionate about your job all these years? Heyda : Liking what I do. They always say you’re not supposed to think about the money part of it—you’re supposed to think about whether you actually enjoy what you do. What are some of the biggest changes you’ve witnessed over the years? Heyda: When I first started in the early ’80s, our plows didn’t have wings. The plow route I was assigned to had three snowplow operators following each other—one leading, the next making a second pass, and the third making a curb pass. When we got wing attachments, we

Safety has also changed a lot. For example, when jetting sewer lines, we used to send an operator down into the manhole to shovel debris into a pail, while the crew above lifted it with a rope, dumped it out, and repeated the process. Now, we use an inductor that removes the debris without requiring anyone to enter the manhole. Rumor has it you’ve plowed almost every snowstorm in Shakopee in the last 46 years. Have you ever missed one? Heyda: I think just once. I had a trip planned to Lake of the Woods and couldn’t make the call-in. A Note from Public Works Director Bill Egan: Glenn has been a cornerstone of Shakopee Public Works for over 40 years, setting a standard of dedication, thoughtfulness, and reli ability that inspires everyone around him. He consistently arrives 30 minutes early to make coffee for his coworkers and enjoys their company before the shift begins, demonstrating his commitment to the department and creating a positive work environment. His dedication during snow and ice events is unmatched—Glenn has missed only one snowstorm in his entire career, a record no one else in the department has ever achieved. He ensures the employee parking lot is plowed, confirming it’s safe before others arrive. This thoughtful act demonstrates his genuine care for his coworkers’ well-being and his willingness to go above and beyond. Beyond his technical skills, Glenn’s reliability and willingness to help with any task have made him an invaluable mentor. His extensive knowl edge of the department’s operations, combined with his approachable demeanor, has guided newer employees and helped shape the future of Shakopee Public Works. Glenn’s legacy is one of unwavering com mitment, thoughtful actions, and quiet leadership. His personal sacri fices and contributions over four decades have left a lasting impact on the community, and we are proud to honor his service.

14 Shakopee Snapshot