Columbus to hire new parks director
After two years with an interim director, the city’s Recreation and Parks Commission is looking to hire a permanent director of the Department of Recreation and Parks.
Paul Rakosky, 57, was a deputy director in the department and has been serving as interim director since 2019, overseeing the more than $53.5 million 2021 operating budget and more than 1,700 employees, many of whom work parttime.
The city has about 400 parks covering more than 13,500 acres of park space within its limits, as well as 29 community centers, five athletic complexes, six golf courses, six splash pads, eight outdoor pools, five dog parks and other programs and locations for residents to enjoy.
In a statement, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said he was grateful to Rakosky for his work and going “above and beyond in serving our residents — especially our youth — in such tumultuous times.”
Applications will be accepted through Sept. 24. A search committee consisting of members of the Recreation and Parks Commission, the mayor’s office and the city’s human resources department will then review applications and conduct interviews.
The mayor’s office said in a statement that it hopes to fill the position by the end of 2021.
Under Rakosky’s tenure as interim director, the city has opened a new recreation center in Linden and begun work on a new park to be located near Historic Crew Stadium.
There have also been increased concerns about security in the parks, following two shootings that killed teens.
On May 22, a shooting at Bicentennial Park in Downtown ended with 16-yearold Olivia Kurtz dead and five other teens wounded. The next month, 17year-old Makenzi Ridley, a recent high school graduate, was shot and killed outside the Far East Community Center. Both of those homicides remain unsolved.
The city has increased police patrols and security measures in parks as a response to the shootings.
Bethany Bruner is a reporter covering public safety, breaking news and police.
bbruner@dispatch.com