Blue Springs, Mo. – Roscoe Righter, CPRP, Director of Parks and Recreation for the past thirty-two years, is announcing his resignation effective September 30, 2011 in order to go into retirement. He will continue to work in his current capacity for the next five months to work on projects, goals, and to assist the City Administrator and other department personnel with the departments’ transition.
“Several factors have led to my decision to announce my retirement. The long-time Superintendent of Parks is set to retire in just over a year and all the grant projects I started are now complete It just seems like the right time,” said Righter. “A new director will determine where and how the department should go in regard to staffing changes, carefully evaluate the programs and services, manage the budget during these challenging economic times and plan new parks on land we have acquired for the future of our system.”
Roscoe started his career with the City of Blue Springs on February 5, 1979 as the City’s first Parks Director, being hired by Fred Siems, the first City Administrator. The two worked toward establishing a formal department in the early 1980’s as the City grew from approximately 20,000 people to its current population of 53,000. There were nine parks consisting of 167 acres of land and an annual budget of $1,524,880; today there are nineteen parks consisting of 816 acres of land and an annual budget of $5,650,951.
“We have been very fortunate to have someone of Roscoe’s caliber leading our Parks & Recreation Department,” said Mayor Carson Ross. “He’s leaving a legacy in Blue Springs that our community can be proud of and enjoy.”
“I have worked under six mayors, numerous councilmembers and with several Park Commissioners over the years. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve our citizens, to have been involved in the development of Hidden Valley Park, Centennial Pool, dog park, disc golf course, Adams Pointe Golf Club, the bike routes and trails, Gregory Grounds Park and the many public art projects,” said Righter. “There is no price I can put on the value we have had on our citizens, the financial impact we have brought to the City and the health and leisure benefits we provide every day to our citizens.”
In addition to building a highly utilized and widely recognized parks system, Roscoe also serves as the liaison to the City’s Public Art Commission. The Parks & Recreation Department also manages the Buildings & Grounds Divisions for the City of Blue Springs. The department is held in high esteem in the Kansas City metro area and in the State of Missouri. The Blue Springs Parks & Recreation Department has been recognized numerous times over the years, including being a three-time finalist in the National Gold Metal Awards sponsored by National Recreation & Parks Association.
“I will obviously miss the great staff in Parks & Recreation, the City staff I work with on a daily basis and all the citizens, sports leagues and various volunteer organizations assisting me over the years,” Roscoe said. “I intend on staying in Blue Springs and hope to become involved in our community on a new level. I am very pleased with all of the accomplishments during my tenure and want to thank all the organizations, individuals and elected officials who have helped to make the Blue Springs Parks & Recreation Department what it is today.”
Roscoe has been very involved in the Metro Area Directors Association and with the Mid-America Regional Council. He was, and continues to this day, to be involved with the Missouri Park and Recreation Association having served in many elected positions including President. Righter served with the National Park & Recreation Association on the Great Lakes Board of Directors and Council of Affiliate Presidents.
Roscoe received his Masters Degree in Parks & Recreation at the University of Missouri-Columbia and has served on the Advisory Council to the School of Natural Resources since 1980.
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