When most people hear the job title of mechanic, they think of working on cars. JC Parks mechanic Ryan Dudenhoeffer works on everything from golf carts to sculptures.
He helped weld together a new baseball statue for Jefferson City Vivion Field, which went up the beginning of February.
"That's the great thing about working here, it's good to have a little bit of freedom," Dudenhoeffer said. "Creative freedom is what I really enjoy. I like making a good product."
Dudenhoeffer grew up on a family farm and learned from his father and grandfather about working on farm equipment.
He spent 12 years working as a mechanic at the Country Club, but when a position opened with the Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, he decided it was time for a bit of a change.
"It wasn't that different, but it was just a lot more variety," he said. "You don't realize it, but once you get into that grind it can get stale for me personally, but I just want to have different things to work on. It could be a blown hydraulic hose one day and an engine comes apart the next."
Dudenhoeffer said he doesn't look at work projects as challenges.
"I look at them as a betterment of my own ability," he said. "It's a change to learn, broaden the horizon a bit."
Dudenhoeffer's wife is an art teacher, and he said she gets excited to hear about new art projects - such as the baseball - he's working on.
The two have a 9-year-old son and run a family farm.
"So we pretty much stay outside during our free time," he said.
Dudenhoeffer said he hasn't looked back after coming to JC Parks.
"I really enjoy working with my co-workers here," he said. "I'm really excited with the new additions to the parks system, and I'm really happy to be a part of that, to see it grow.
"I'm not in the spotlight out there with the landscapers, but hopefully, I make a difference here in the shop."