The Edmond Sun

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Discussion

July 20, 2012

New parks director starts July 30

Patty Miller The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — The City of Edmond has hired Craig Dishman as director of the Parks and Recreation Department. Dishman’s start date is July 30.

“Craig’s background in municipal parks and recreation will provide a great benefit to our Edmond parks system,” said Steve Commons, assistant city manager, in a release. “We are confident his area of expertise will bring exciting opportunities to our parks and recreation department as well as to our residents who utilize these city services.”

With more than 18 years of professional experience in the parks and recreation industry, Dishman has been the Recreation Services superintendent for the City of Mesquite, Texas, since 2006. Prior to that, Dishman was the Recreation Supervisor for the City of Colleyville, Texas, where he was involved in the department’s 2001 Texas Recreation and Park Society’s Gold Medal Award.

“I am thankful and excited for the opportunity to be the next director of parks and recreation,” Dishman said. “Edmond is a vibrant community with a well-managed city and a strong parks and recreation department. I am anxious to work with city management, department staff and the community on providing a high quality of life and service in parks and recreation.  

“With family and educational ties in the area, Edmond is a great city to relocate to. My family and I are looking forward to becoming part of the community.”

Dishman received his Bachelor of Science degree in parks, recreation and tourism from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He then went on to the University of North Texas to acquire his Master of Science degree in public administration.

In Thursday’s Parks and Recreation Board regular monthly meeting, Earl London, the interim director for the board, said Dishman is well credentialed with his degree in parks and recreation as well as bringing with him his experience of working with the YMCA.

This is not the first time London has taken over the job as interim director and this last time he has been wearing two hats for the past eight months. In addition to interim Parks and Recreation director, London is also the parks superintendent.

Showing their appreciation for his work, members presented him with a small gift and board member Harry Kocurek said, “Earl, you are parks and recreation in every way.”



Master Plan survey online; deadline Aug. 1

One of the first items on Dishman’s agenda will be the development of the Edmond Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

Edmond residents are asked to go online at Edmondok.com/parks/rec or go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/parksmasterplan to complete the online survey of 20 questions, some with multiple parts.

The survey should take no more than five to 10 minutes, London said.

“The deadline is Aug. 1 and at this time about 900 surveys have been turned in,” London said, “and I would like to see about 2,000.”

Long known for its outstanding recreation facilities and parks, residents are asked for their input in the development of the direction the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board should go.

Opinions from the surveys combined with the estimated future growth of the city’s needs will in part give direction to what will transpire in the parks and recreation arena.

Edmond boasts of programs, events and classes to help residents stay active and healthy.

Recreation facilities include parks, sports fields and outdoor water facilities for families to play in as well as walking trails, concerts and live musical performances for families to enjoy.

“The survey is important in knowing the direction Edmond residents want the Parks and Recreation Board to take over the coming years,” London said.

Among the services the Parks and Recreation Board oversees are Arcadia Lake, city parks, the Festival Market Place, KickingBird Golf Club and Tennis Center, MAC Senior Center, recreation partners and the multiple use and equestrian trails throughout Edmond.

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