PCR Director Elected President of State Parks & Recreation Association

Unalaska PCR Leadership with Governor and First Lady, Bill and Donna Walker

PCR DIRECTOR VOTED PRESIDENT ELECT
OF THE STATE’S PARKS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION

The City of Unalaska Department of Parks, Culture and Recreation (PCR) employees, D. Tyrell McGirt, Director; Albert Burnham, Recreation Manager; and Nick Cron, Operations Manager, attended the Annual Alaska Recreation and Park Association (ARPA) Conference in Homer October 07th – 11th. McGirt, currently Vice President of ARPA, was sworn-in as President Elect of the organization during the awards banquet held Friday evening. His two-year term as President begins next September.

McGirt has been employed with the City of Unalaska PCR since March 2006. He was hired as the Aquatics Center Manager, transitioned to Recreation Manager, before being promoted to Director of the department in January 2014. Prior to moving to Unalaska McGirt spent 6 ½ years living and working in Charlotte, North Carolina where he was employed with the National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medal winning and CAPRA accredited agency Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department.

“Parks and recreation locations increase the number of people working out at least three-days a week by 25%.  Community parks and open spaces increase property values and have a positive economic impact on communities. And parks and recreation are often cited as the most important factor when determining how livable communities are. I am pleased to be President Elect of ARPA and excited about continuing to work with the organization to get messages like this out there. Parks and recreation is not just a fun leisure option but essential to communities being active, balanced, and healthy.” McGirt says.   

Governor Bill Walker and First Lady Bill Donna Walker were special banquet guests. First Lady Walker, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Parks and Recreation, spoke of her time as the first Valdez Parks and Recreation Director and her passion for the field.

ARPA celebrates its 40th anniversary this year as the primary organization for parks and recreation professionals in Alaska.