RESOLUTION NO. RS2010-1083

A resolution recognizing Roy Wilson upon his retirement with the Metropolitan Government.

WHEREAS, on December 31, 2009, Roy Wilson, Director of the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation retired after 5 years and 9 months of service; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Roy Wilson grew up in Montgomery, Alabama at a time when persons of color found city parks closed to them and as a high school student Roy’s now 98 year old mother woke him early one morning in March of 1965 to participate in the Selma to Montgomery civil rights march, he is a graduate of Tennessee State University Class of 1970; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson began his parks career as a Senior Naturalist with the Cleveland Metro Parks System in Cleveland, Ohio; later he became Deputy Director and Acting Director for the City of Houston, Texas Parks and Recreation Department; Assistant Director and Director of Nature Services for the City of Fort Worth, Texas Parks and Community Services Department; Superintendent of Recreation for the City of Norfolk, Virginia, a return to the Cleveland Metro Parks System and employment with Cleveland State University, and on April 1, 2004, was appointed director of the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation, a position he has held with distinction; and

WHEREAS, during his five-year tenure as Director some of his major accomplishments include: the addition of 13 parks to the parks system, including the downtown Public Square Park); 476 acres of open space; 15 miles of greenway trails; four new regional community centers; three new neighborhood community centers; Fort Negley Visitor’s Center; three new nature centers; two spray grounds; Wi-Fi Internet access in Centennial Park; a new clubhouse at Two Rivers Golf Course; additional school playgrounds; upgrades to Wave Country; the Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge; and two Youth Life Learning Centers in partnership with the Youth Life Foundation of Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson has been actively involved with many community and civic organizations including service on the Board of Directors of United Way and Kids First, Inc.; chair of the Healthy Nashville 2010 Leadership Council for two years; and an appointment to the Mayor’s Project for Student Success Task Force; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson received the first Friend of Scarritt Bennett Award in 2008 and holds membership in the National Recreation and Park Association and Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson has received a host of well-deserved accolades as recipient of the United Negro College Fund, Inc. Distinguished Leadership Award, and has been recognized as an All Star Volunteer of Hampton Roads Pro-Am of Virginia Professional affiliations; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson is to be commended for his timeless efforts for the improvement of recreational opportunities for our children, young adults, and adults, and will be missed for his leadership, dedication and professionalism; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes Roy Wilson for his work and accomplishments with the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation and wish him much success as he moves forward with his new position.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing Roy E. Wilson upon his retirement from the Metropolitan Government.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Roy Wilson.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Emily Evans, Lonnell Matthews, Vivian Wilhoite, Frank Harrison, Sandra Moore, Jamie Hollin, Robert Duvall, Erica Gilmore, Edith Taylor Langster, Megan Barry, Jerry Maynard

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	January 5, 2010
Adopted:	January 5, 2010
Approved:	January 6, 2010
By: