Mayor Kelli Linville announced today she has offered the position of Parks and Recreation Director to Leslie Bryson, currently the interim parks director.
Bryson has been with the City parks department since 1994, when she was hired as the first manager for the design and development division. She has a degree from Colorado State University in park planning and design, and also received a certificate from the University of Washington's Cascade Executive Program in 2003. Before coming to the City of Bellingham, Bryson worked as a park planner for the Fort Collins, Colorado parks and recreation department for more than 10 years. She has also won several professional awards for her work, including a 2007 award from the Washington Parks and Recreation Association for Bellingham's Taylor Dock and a 2003 American Institute of Architects award for the Fairhaven Village Green.
Mayor Linville said she is happy to permanently appoint Bryson, who has served as the Parks Interim Director since October.
“I've spoken with many members of our community and read the comments submitted by City employees in Parks and Recreation about what our City needs in a Director, and I'm pleased to report that the feedback affirms what I've learned as well — that Leslie is an excellent leader for the department and a key contributor to the City's department head team,” Mayor Linville said.
Bryson said that she is looking forward to continuing to work with Parks employees, other City department heads, the Mayor and City Council, and the community.
“I am honored that Mayor Kelli selected me,” Bryson said. “It's such a joy to work in a department where people are so passionate in what they do and to work with a supportive, involved community that loves our City parks. I look forward to continuing that great work.”
