Chris Cotten

Director of Parks and Recreation @City of Kansas City, MO

US

Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation provides facilities, programs and recreational opportunities for the community that contribute to an aesthetically pleasing environment and enhanced quality of life. The department maintains 221 parks, acres of parkland, 158 miles of trails and bikeways, 29 lakes, hundreds of athletic fields and tennis courts, 115 playgrounds, and five public golf courses. Miles of scenic boulevards and parkways crisscross the city, where 48 fountains and 122 monuments and sculptures surprise and delight. Ten community centers, along with eight museums, provide the setting for socially equitable and community-driven programming.As the Parks Director of the 37th largest city in the country, I proudly lead a talented team of dedicated employees and work on exciting community projects. I manage the overall operations and maintenance of 221 parks, 10 community centers, 158 miles of trails, 106 playgrounds, 48 fountains and 5 golf courses. I also supervise a full-time staff of 315 employees. I believe in a FAIR, FIRM, and FRIENDLY leadership style. Representing department initiatives at various community forums, press events, and city official meetings is par for the course in my work. I am passionate about serving the community with a “hands-on” approach to ensuring our team has what they need to be successful. Currently, I am responsible for overseeing park rangers, facility renovations and capital replacement projects, public venue operations, policy research, historic preservation initiatives, and economic sports impact projects. I also work directly with elected and appointed officials and strive to implement complex projects designed to improve our community.Curious to learn more about Kansas City Parks and Recreation? Visit: https://kcparks.org/about-kcpr/ for more information.

Texas State University

Master of Education - MEd, Sport and Fitness Administration/Management

Drury University

Bachelor of Arts - BA, Health and Physical Education/Fitness