Update: Austin PARD Seeks Director

Written By Cullen McMorrow

Originally posted October 11, 2024

City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department has a vacancy for the top position of Parks Director… and it would be amazing if there was a pro-mountain-biking candidate!  

Do you have any personal networking connections to any Parks Directors or Assistant Parks Directors in major cities where natural surface trails and bike parks have been invested in? 

If so, give us a shout (quickly please!) ARR_Vprez@AustinRidgeRiders.com

Note:  "For optimum consideration, candidates must submit a cover letter and résumé by Tuesday, October 15, 2024."

Considering the growth of lifestyle and adventure sports like mountain biking, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, etc., and all the folks moving to Austin, as well as locals, who love these types of activities, it would be a bonus to have a director who understands these types of activities.

ARR has reached out to International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) and Professional Trail Builders Association (PTBA) to discuss ideas for assisting in the search.

Update, November 18, 2024:

On Wednesday, Nov 13, ARR President Charlie Riou and Vice President Cullen McMorrow attended City of Austin’s presentation and meet-and-greet of the three finalists for the position of Director of Parks and Recreation.  The hiring decision will be made by the City Manager T. C. Broadnax. 

The meeting was also an opportunity for us to continue networking on behalf of Austin mountain biking with folks from Austin Parks Foundation, Shoal Creek Conservancy, City of Austin Parknerships Program, Hill Country Conservancy, and Travis County Parks. 

The candidates all have the credentials needed, and we expect to work well with whoever gets the position.

In particular, we will communicate with the next PARD Director the importance of the Bike Park facilities featured in the current Draft Vision Plan for Bolm District Park and advocate that they get funded for design and build sooner than later. (That will take a lot of work, but we’re in it for the long haul).  Additionally, we want to see (1) professional XC trail development at Walter E. Long Park; (2)  approval of Community Activated Park Project (CAPP) authorization for ARR Trail Work at Circle C Metro Park; (3) Recognition of Natural Surface Trail in the Southern Walnut Creek Urban Trail Greenbelt; (4) Bike Playgrounds and Traffic Gardens in several locations in the City for small children to learn riding, including the location at Beverly Sheffield Northwest District Park that we helped get included in the Vision Plan (5) Bike Skills area at Holly Shores near Camacho Activity Center; (6) continued cooperation on trail improvement in Little Walnut Creek Greenbelt at E. 51st and Springdale (aka Area 51); (7) recognition of the value of natural surface trail in the future Northeast segment of the Walnut Creek Urban Trail System; and other goals!!

https://www.austintexas.gov/news/updated-city-parks-and-recreation-department-director-finalist-list

-Cullen McMorrow, ARR Vice President

Cullen McMorrow

Cullen grew up in Barton Hills riding mountain bikes in the Barton Creek Greenbelt, skateboarding, and riding BMX. He went to UT Austin and continued to ride BMX, building ramps and dirt jumps. He began mountain biking again in 2005 and has volunteered regularly with the Club since then. Cullen is a big fan of the "Flow Country" concept of trail building; where flow features and obstacle features are mixed into regular trails. Cullen travels to ride both cross country and downhill MTB whenever possible. In addition to serving as the Trails Program Director, he’s the Trail Steward for Walnut Creek Metro Park. Cullen is committed to building trails and features for a range of skill levels, supporting trail stewards, and growing the success of the ARR.

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