Roosevelt Lyons, Deputy Director of Operations for Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation, has been chosen as the President-Elect for the Missouri Park & Recreation Association (MPRA). Lyons was sworn in today at the annual MPRA Conference in Lake Ozark, Missouri. He will officially take office in June of 2020 and serve a three-year term.
Lyons’ professional background includes stints in the Office of the Mayor, political organizing, youth programming, and personal training. While serving Mayor Sly James, he worked on several initiatives including an ordinance mandating a Citywide youth advisory panel, creating a program for youth who were interested in careers in public service, and the development of a summer program for youth in partnership with the parks department. He joined KC Parks in 2014 as a manager of recreation and was promoted to Community Services Division Manager in 2016. He has served as the Deputy Director of Operations since January of 2019 and is the youngest and first African American to serve as Deputy Director for Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation.
With a mission to “advocate the quality of life through effective use of parks and recreation opportunities, education, and resource,” MPRA serves as the voice for parks and recreation in Missouri on the local, state and national level. The nonprofit association, whose members work to provide opportunities for all the state’s citizens to enjoy quality leisure activities, is dedicated to promoting public support for parks and recreation and public awareness of the contribution of recreation to a balanced life. The association works to ensure the growth and improve the quality and accessibility of urban and rural parks, open spaces and recreational lands, facilities and programs for all Missourians. It promotes research and information dissemination on park, conservation, recreation and leisure issues. MPRA is governed by a board of directors elected by the general membership. The association maintains a headquarters office with a full-time staff in Jefferson City. More information about Missouri Park & Recreation Association is available at mopark.org.