SEATTLE, Wa. — Mayor Ed Murray announced the new parks and recreation superintendent, Jesus Aguirre, Wednesday morning.
Aguirre is taking over a department laden with budget woes over the last several years. But officials told KIRO 7 Wednesday that the passage of a new parks district with taxing authority last year makes their outlook more optimistic.
Murray said the creation of the parks district created a lot of interest among candidates for the job across the nation.
Aguirre said, “Being able to manage and maintain and grow a city parks and recreation agency without stability in funding, without the right support and vision, is really difficult. So I think as the mayor said, anyone who's in parks and recreation across the country, sees Seattle as a model, and that's absolutely the reason I was thrilled to be a part of it.”
The previous superintendent, Christopher Williams, will become deputy superintendent.
Aguirre had most recently been in charge of the Washington D.C. parks department. He was born in Mexico, raised in Texas, and has done work in both parks and education.
“In my view, education and the work that we do at Parks and Recreation really are complementary. And I'm excited to bring my experience in both fields to provide excellent programming and excellent facilities to the city of Seattle,” he said.
KIRO
