Kent County has one of the largest parks departments in the State of Michigan encompassing 42 parks, greenspaces, and regional trails totaling 7,354 acres. Parks range in size from 2 to 1,400 acres. Since 1990, the Kent County Parks Department has added over 3,000 acres under management. Further, the County manages a trail system that features four regional connectors spanning over 100 miles. The County has carved out a niche of larger parks focused on rustic, open, and natural spaces. Many of the county parks are designed for more passive outdoor recreation (e.g., camping, hiking, observing and photographing nature, picnicking, swimming, cross-country skiing, bicycling, running/jogging, horseback riding, and fishing) requiring limited amenities. However, there are exceptions such as the golf course at Palmer Park and the baseball diamonds at Dutton Shadyside Park.

The County’s outdoor spaces greatly enhance the quality of life of residents, making it an attractive place to live, work, and locate a business. Without question, the culture of outdoor recreation within the area is a key contributor to Kent County being one of the fastest growing areas in Michigan. It is also a contributor to the regional economy. The County’s parks system serves approximately 1.4 million visitors annually, 25 percent of whom travelled from outside of Kent County. The Kent County Parks system generates $33 million in annual economic activity, $14.7 million of which is generated by nonlocal visitors. Additionally, over 200 jobs are sustained through the economic activity attributed to the Kent County Parks system. We had 2,017 volunteers, which included volunteers from 100 groups (corporate, school, community, and partnership teams) contribute 7,921 service hours in 2022 alone. When layering the economic impact with the social and quality of life benefits of outdoor recreation, the County parks provide tremendous value to residents.

Kent County is seeking a dynamic and resourceful Parks and Recreation Director to be a part of our executive team. The successful candidate will work in concert with the Administrator’s Office, Parks Department, public and private funding agencies, public and private consultants and contractors, Michigan Department of Natural resources, and many more to provide quality recreational opportunities for the residents and visitors of Kent County. The Parks and Recreation Director will direct the design, development and implementation of policies, procedures, and programs to protect, preserve, expand, and improve County Park lands. Innovation and proven experience in collaboration and problem solving are critical to the advancement of park development projects and regional planning priorities relating to the preservation of natural spaces and outdoor recreation. Strong leadership skills are essential.

The successful candidate will:

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  Have a bachelor’s degree in Public or Park Administration, or related field combined with a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public administration, including a minimum of four years’ experience in parks administration. An equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered.
• Have strong leadership and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to interact positively with a diverse Kent County population.
• Have strong project management skills.
• Be knowledgeable of the principles and practices of park administration including design, development, operation and recreational programming.
• Have a thorough working knowledge of budget development administration as well as contract administration.