Press Release - PCR Director Complete Director's School

PCR Director, D. Tyrell McGirt, Completes Advanced
Park and Recreation Professional Development School

Unalaska, Alaska, September 9, 2014 – D. Tyrell McGirt, Director with the City of Unalaska Department of Parks, Culture and Recreation (PCR), recently completed the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Directors School, a two-year professional development training program for current and future leaders of parks and recreation agencies.  Directors School prepares students to effectively and efficiently lead park and recreation departments so they can best serve the community.  

The Directors School curriculum is based on the national standards of best practice for parks and recreation agencies as identified by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). CAPRA accredits park and recreation agencies for excellence in operation and service.  Graduates gain insight and skills that enable them to create a successful park and recreation agency.

McGirt has been with PCR eight years.  He was hired as the Aquatics Center Manager before transitioning to the Recreation Manager and promoted to Director last January.  McGirt has over 13 years professional recreation experience and had employment stints at the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, YWCA of the Central Carolinas, and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department all in Charlotte, North Carolina prior to moving to Unalaska.  McGirt was one of two out of 67 students to receive the Leroy Jenkins Scholarship to return for year-2.  “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to spend the last couple of years at NRPA Directors School and excited about implementing some of the best recreation practices here at PCR.”     

The NRPA Directors School attendees are required to apply and be accepted into the school.  Directors School is sponsored by the Oglebay National Training Center, NRPA, and the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at the North Carolina State University.  For more information about the Directors School, visit www.nrpa.org/directors.

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people.  Through its network of 40,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space.  For more information, visit www.nrpa.org.  For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.