CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Clarksvillenow.com Clarksville Parks & Recreation Director, Mark Tummons, is leaving for a new parks position in Leander, Texas and Clarksvillenow.com caught up with Tummons in his last week on the job.

He sat down for a few minutes at Liberty Park to talk about some of his special memories working with parks and recreation over the past seven years. Tummons took over as director in 2009 but some may not be aware that he also served as assistant director from 2000 to 2003.

When asked about his special memories and projects of his past years with parks and recreation he said it was difficult to narrow it down to just a few because there were so many. He talked about the work on Liberty Park that had begun a short time before he arrived.

Tummons mentioned sites like the Wilma Rudolph Event Center and Freedom Point. “One of those fondest memories is really helping as a team working with architects, engineers, and other people within the city to bring those to fruition and that’s been really important to the city,” said Tummons.

Tummons said when he came to Clarksville he had a vision for the parks and facilities and things that could be expanded upon. He talked about the growth of the Greenway and its continued expansion as well as the Blueway and its future connecting the waterways in Clarksville-Montgomery County.

The city’s four splash pads and the dome over the New Providence Pool with a year-round aquatics program are other projects he calls important assets for the community. He also emphasized the expansion of available programs and the addition of new programs in the department over the years.

Finally, Tummons praised his co-workers at Clarksville Parks & Recreation, saying the staff is tremendous, and right now we have the best staff we’ve ever had. He said over the years people have come and gone but they were always replaced by talented, hard working people.

Mayor Kim McMillan has appointed Jennifer Byard, who has been serving as Assistant Director, as Interim Director of the Clarksville Parks & Recreation Department effective August 1. The search for a permanent director for parks and recreation is currently underway by the city.

To learn more about the Clarksville Parks & Recreation Department visit www.cityofclarksville.com