Directors follow unexpected course for current career
Directors follow unexpected course for current career
Written by Kathy Lesko Saturday, 07 January 2006
Rick Atkins, Parks & Recreation Director, City of Round Rock
For as long as Rick Atkins can remember, he wanted to be a sports physiologist. So when the Director of Round Rock’s Parks & Recreation Department graduated from Texas Tech, he was looking to take the sports world by storm.
“Somehow I ended up as a juvenile probation officer, and very quickly realized it wasn’t quite the job for me.”
His employment search led him toward the venue of parks and recreation, and it’s been a decision he has never regretted. Managing 98 full-time employees in both the Parks & Recreation and Maintenance departments comes with its challenges, but he shares his philosophy and the department’s main goal with his staff to keep that, “small-town feel”, despite how large Round Rock’s population grows.
Q What improvements are planned for 2006?
A The Rock’n River Family Aquatic Center will open this summer, and we’ll hopefully begin construction on the skate park, as well as completing our portion of Forest Bluff Trail. One particular project that I am very excited about is the opening of the new Allen R. Baca Activity Center. Not only do our local seniors get a much-improved facility, it is being named in honor of a man who was “all about Round Rock.” Baca worked with the public and city council to make this facility a reality. He was a tremendous gentleman, and I can’t think of a better person to name the facility in memory of.
Q Describe an ordinary day in your job.
A Well there is no such thing as down time, that’s for sure! Every day brings a new challenge, project or initiative that may take precedence over what you thought you were going to do that day. You deal with the issues as best as you can, sometimes even collaborating with neighboring cities to find creative solutions to problems that perhaps both of you are experiencing. The one constant in this job, however, seems to be the special events. We are always planning something, like the recent Family Holiday Night on Main Street, and it seems that no sooner you wrap up the event, you turn around and jump right into planning the next one. Before you know it, you’ve come full-circle and a whole year has gone by.
Q If budget were not an issue, what would be the next project for the department?
A It would definitely be an entire overhaul of the infrastructure of Old Settler’s Park, including continuing and expanding trails throughout the park, overhauling all the sports fields, completing all phases of the Family Aquatic Center, creating girls’ kickball fields and adding more restrooms.
Q What is your New Year’s resolution?
A Definitely to work out more. I used to run two to three miles every day, and need to get back into that routine.
- Education Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Sports Science from Texas Tech
- Family Married to a great wife, 13-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter
- Contact Information 218-5540 or ricka@round-rock.tx.us
Glenn Holzer, Parks & Recreation Director, City of Pflugerville
When Glenn Holzer joined the Parks & Recreation Department in 1987, the population of Pflugerville was about 12,000. He told himself it would be a short-term gig.
“I had planned on staying one or two years at the most, with the intention of moving onto a larger town.”
Fortunately for Holzer, Pflugerville actually grew around him, and 18 years later, he manages the department that now serves more than 30,000 residents.
“My favorite part of my job is having the ability to see things develop in the field,” he said.
Overseeing a staff of nearly 30 in both the Parks & Recreation and Maintenance Departments gives him plenty of opportunity for hands-on management. Whether it’s checking in on the status of the “Green” Red Barn, a co-op energy conservation project in Heritage Park, or meeting with community members to plan a special event, such as the recent dedication of the Fallen Soldier Memorial in Pfluger Park, Holzer concedes there is enough to keep him busy for the next 18 years.
Q What improvements are planned for 2006?
A In addition to the completion of Lake Pflugerville, work will continue on the “Green” Red Barn project in Heritage Park. In addition to the power we are generating that is going directly back to the main grid, we are also going to be capable of producing our own power to help light area trails and walkways. Currently we provide enough energy for about six hours a night of illumination. Another exciting opportunity exists in that five members of the Parks and Recreation Commission will be ending their tenure in 2005. I’m sure their replacements will bring a lot of innovative suggestions and ideas to the table.
Q Describe an ordinary day in your job.
A There is no such thing as an ordinary day! At any given moment, I can be attending a meeting for a special event, planning a luncheon, reviewing new projects, answering e-mails and telephone calls, fulfilling requests for information, and even coordinating things like the tree planting we just held – I also hold the additional title of “urban forester” for Pflugerville.
Q If budget were not an issue, what would be the next project for the department?
A It would definitely be the creation of a large, regional park; one with practice fields for a variety of sports, a skate park, trails, bike and BMX trails and even an amphitheater.
Q What is your New Year’s resolution?
A I am really blessed with good health, family and a great job. My only resolution is to slow down and enjoy it all!
- Education Bachelor’s degree in Education from Elizabethtown College
- Family Married 29 years to Sue; two children, Jay and Allison; one grandson, Dylan
- Contact Information 251-5082 or glennh@cityofpflugerville.com
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