Robinson: Creating A Parks and Rec Director Position Something To Explore

With the full adoption of a Parks and Recreation master plan, it opens discussion for White County to consider establishing a director position.

County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said he is currently leading the plan’s fulfillment, but daily county operations can be time consuming.

“I don’t have the time to divert the attention needed for the parks and rec system, and I hate that, because the potential is great there,” Robinson said. “A parks and rec director or somebody to oversee the department is definitely something we need to look at.”

The department currently operates through a sub-committee that recommends action to Steering Committee A. That committee serves as the parks and rec board and approves items to be considered by the whole commission. Robinson is the current leader over the process.

“Steering Committee A is seven of our commissioners,” Robinson said. “Everyone knows that commissioners usually have another job and do the legislative stuff on the side, so that throws the responsibility back to me.”

Robinson said if the system does not change, the sub-committee would take on the bulk of the grant work to fund the plan. Robinson said the county has projects targeted but bringing new commissioners up to speed will delay the process for a couple months.