City Begins Search For Parks and Rec Dept. Director

The City of Dalton’s Recreation Commission officially gave the green light to begin a search for a new director for the Parks and Recreation Department at its May 6th meeting. The commission is comprised of community leaders and oversees the operations of the department.

“This is a great opportunity,” said Recreation Commission Chairman Zab Mendez, noting that the department’s next director will be overseeing the development and completion of a number of projects including a new aquatics center among others. “This is a time of a lot of great things happening in the community, and we need someone who not only puts their stamp on it but embraces it and runs with it for the best interest of our community.”

The job posting for the position notes not only the development of the new aquatics center as part of the portfolio of projects that the new director will oversee, but also developing a new soccer complex near Dalton Middle School and development of a trail system to link downtown Dalton with Haig Mill Lake Park.

Greg Walker has served as the department’s interim director since the retirement of Mike Miller in December 2020. Miller led the Parks and Recreation Department as its director for three years, taking over in 2017. He worked for the department in various capacities for nearly 37 years.

“We’re going to cast a wide net and get the best possible person for the job,” said city council member Derek Waugh, who also serves on the Rec Commission. Waugh noted that Walker would be considered among the candidates for the position.  

“We obviously want someone who is in tune with the vision and mission of the city and the community as a whole,” said Mendez when discussing what he and his fellow committee members are looking for in the department’s next director. “And obviously we want someone who is experienced and has the best interests of our community and our staff at heart.”

More information about the job posting including an application can be found online at daltonga.gov/jobs.