Sharpe Resigns To Pursue Teaching, Interim Parks Director Nominated
Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024
Caitlin Sharpe has announced her resignation as the director of the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department after two and a half years on the job. She is leaving to join the faculty of the sports management department at Jacksonville State University, her alma mater. At a called meeting Tuesday, Dalton’s Recreation Commission voted to nominate assistant director Will Chappell to serve as interim director of the department. The Mayor and Council will consider their recommendation at their July 15th meeting.
Sharpe joined the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department in January 2022 after serving as director of Catoosa County Parks and Recreation. She earned both a bachelor’s degree in recreation and a master’s degree in sports management from Jacksonville State. She will be returning to the school to teach both sports management and recreation-related courses as well as pursuing a doctoral degree in sports management. She also intends to pursue a master’s degree in public administration.
“While this was a difficult decision, I am proud of the career I have built in the field of recreation, working with various departments and dedicating myself to serving the public, leading teams, and providing recreation and leisure services,” Sharpe said in a statement announcing her move. “As a woman in a leadership position in the traditionally male-dominated industry of parks and recreation, stepping away is not easy. I have invested countless hours and made personal sacrifices to achieve my goals.”
“However, this new opportunity is incredibly advantageous for both my family and me. I am fortunate to have an incredibly supportive husband who has stood by me throughout my career and will continue to support me in this next chapter. I look forward to the exciting possibilities that lie ahead at Jacksonville State University,” Sharpe continued.
See Sharpe's full statement at the bottom of the page
“Caitlin has provided dynamic and effective leadership to the Parks and Recreation Department since she was hired two and a half years ago. Her efforts have led to increased participation in youth programs, reinvestments into park and athletic facilities, and the creation of a highly effective team at the Parks and Recreation Department,” said Andrew Parker, Dalton’s city administrator. “Although we are sad to see her time come to an end in Dalton, we are excited that her experiences will help advance the next wave of undergraduates in the profession.”
Sharpe lists the Mill Line Trail project as well as the replacement of the playground at Civitan Park with a popular facility that incorporated design requests from local elementary school students among her favorite accomplishments as director of the DPRD. She lists the development of the DPRD staff as a highlight of her time.
“Each staff member has adapted to meet the community's expectations, working diligently to enhance programming, increase public engagement, and implement innovative practices,” Sharpe said. “Their dedication and hard work have been instrumental in our department's success.”
Sharpe’s last day with the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department will be July 19th.
Full statement from Caitlin Sharpe:
I am excited to announce that I have accepted a new position with Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, as an instructor in the Sport Management Department. In this role, I will have the privilege of teaching sports management and recreation-related classes. I plan to pursue a doctoral degree in Sports Management and, at a later stage, a master's degree in Public Administration.
While this was a difficult decision, I am proud of the career I have built in the field of recreation, working with various departments and dedicating myself to serving the public, leading teams, and providing recreation and leisure services. As a woman in a leadership position in the traditionally male-dominated industry of parks and recreation, stepping away is not easy. I have invested countless hours and made personal sacrifices to achieve my goals.
However, this new opportunity is incredibly advantageous for both my family and me. I am fortunate to have an incredibly supportive husband who has stood by me throughout my career and will continue to support me in this next chapter. I look forward to the exciting possibilities that lie ahead at Jacksonville State University.
What are my proudest accomplishments while serving as the Parks and Recreation Director? Our team has achieved remarkable progress in a short time, addressing numerous deferred maintenance issues that have allowed us to shift our focus towards building new amenities. For example, we replaced the synthetic turf at the Ron Nix Soccer Complex, Lakeshore Soccer Field, and Mack Gaston Multipurpose Complex, and brought the Heritage Point Soccer Complex online and operational.
One of my proudest accomplishments is the replacement of the playground at Civitan Park. Previously known for its small walking path and picnic areas, the park is now active with children and families enjoying the new playground. This project was particularly rewarding as we designed a playground that reflected the community's requests. We engaged with a fifth-grade class, incorporating nearly all their suggestions. Understanding that playgrounds play a vital role in child development, we embraced the opportunity to create such a significant park amenity. The result is a wonderful playground that serves our community well.
I must highlight the Mill Line project, which is already proving to be a transformative initiative for the community. This project promises to attract new opportunities that will significantly enhance the area. I am confident there will be considerable enhancements that will be prompted through this project.
Additionally, there are numerous projects underway that I am disappointed to leave. These include the John Davis Recreation Center, Heritage Point Park Softball Infield Conversions, Al Rollins Park Infield Conversions, and the Pickleball Complex. Each of these projects is poised to further elevate the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department, solidifying its reputation as a leading recreation agency in the state of Georgia.
While I am proud of the projects I've mentioned, I must highlight another aspect I am most proud of—the department's staff. Leading a team can be complex, requiring a delicate balance and experimentation to find the perfect formula. Each staff member has adapted to meet the community's expectations, working diligently to enhance programming, increase public engagement, and implement innovative practices, even when they seemed challenging. Their dedication and hard work have been instrumental in our department's success.
I truly hope the community sees the vital role that a parks and recreational professional plays within the community. They not only ensure our parks are clean and safe but also create spaces that foster community pride and connectedness. They support programs that are crucial for a child's development, teaching life skills such as teamwork, resilience, coachability, and respect. In my view, these programs are as essential as utility and emergency services.
Many professionals in this industry have not had the same opportunities for career growth that I have been fortunate to experience. I am deeply grateful to the City of Dalton for the invaluable lessons and experiences that have prepared me to be an effective educator. These experiences will translate into my lectures that may help shape the next generation of sports administrators and recreation professionals.
