Another new Parks Superintendent

Well…that was nice while it lasted.

Timothy Gallagher was a breath of fresh air from the skateboarder’s perspective.  He understood the importance of skateboarding in the overall park system, and he went about the business of building skateparks in a surprisingly non-political way.  I haven’t heard the details on his departure, but it could be a clear indication that the new Mayor and the Superintendent weren’t seeing eye-to-eye.  Which, if true, is also scary.

Mr. Williams, Gallagher’s Deputy Superintendent, has been to a few SPAC meetings, and while he has never really engaged directly with skateboarders on a project, has been openly supportive of skateparks in the past.  However, the reality is that he is “a product of the Seattle Parks and Recreation system” in more ways than just growing up playing sports on the public fields.  He’s been an important and high-ranking member of the system that until Gallagher, tried to remove the Ballard Bowl from the Seattle landscape, and stonewalled skateboarders with “process” for years before building a single new park.

The nice thing about Timothy Gallagher was that he was an outsider who brought an awareness from the outside world (aka: California) into the myopic Seattle Parks system.  He also understood that consensus building only went so far, and at some point you needed to make a decision and act on it.  We’ll give Superintendent Williams the benefit of the doubt, because that’s how we slide, but everyone should be on the lookout for the familiar shenanigans of the Ken Bounds era.  Hopefully he was inspired by Gallagher’s fresh approach and continues to forge ahead in that direction while bringing some new things to the table that get us to an even better place.

Here’s the official press release:

News

For Immediate Release                                                          Contact: Mark Matassa

April 28, 2010                                                                          Tel: (206) 233-2655

Mobile: (206) 604-4072

Christopher Williams named Acting Parks Superintendent

Mayor McGinn appoints department veteran to lead through budget crisis

SEATTLE – Mayor Mike McGinn today named Christopher Williams as Acting Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation, following the resignation on Monday of Superintendent Timothy Gallagher.

Williams, a Parks and Recreation employee for nearly 20 years and the deputy superintendent under Gallagher, will take over management of the department immediately, Mayor McGinn said.

“Like the rest of City government, the Parks Department is facing serious budget challenges. Christopher Williams has been working with my office to address them over the past few weeks, and I’m pleased to have his experience, dedication and management expertise at the helm as we find ways to preserve our excellent parks services,” the mayor said.

Mayor McGinn and Williams both said they were interested in finding budget savings or exploring revenue options that would minimize reductions in Parks and Recreation programs or services.

The mayor and his budget office directed Williams to provide management plans for three potential scenarios, given the city’s budget:

·         A Parks system that maintains the current array of services and obligations

·         A Parks system that includes a mix of service reductions or program eliminations in order to operate within the City’s current funding constraints

·         A Parks system that meets current obligations, including maintenance and operations, and allows Seattle to realize the system’s full potential (use of existing facilities and those expected to come online with the Parks Levy).

Williams, who has worked for the Parks Department since 1992 “in almost every role from safety officer to interim superintendent,” said he was thrilled to receive the appointment after such a long tenure with the city.

“I’m a product of the Parks and Recreation system,” Williams said. “Growing up in Seattle, I played on the athletic fields, participated in the programs. My kid played in the youth basketball program. I’ve seen that Parks and Recreation is the first line of opportunity for vulnerable, disadvantaged people. It can help socialize at-risk youth. It shows the value of community, and the value of volunteerism.”

Williams, 46, was born in Seattle and graduated from Chief Sealth High School. He received an undergraduate business degree from Columbia University, and a master’s degree from Seattle University.