Parks & Recreation acting director is stepping down

Longtime Morgan County Parks & Recreation Acting Director Bruce Beadenkopf said that he is stepping down from his position. He is moving from the area by April 1.

Beadenkopf became a Parks & Recreation board member around 10 years ago and was asked to serve as acting director a few years after.

Beadenkopf said that he is still making arrangements for some of the things that need done for county recreation facilities in between packing for his move. There are many things that need to be done before spring sports begin, he said.

Beadenkopf had hoped that a new director would be appointed before he left so he could help with the transition and training. Treasurer Mike Burks has been helping with Biddy Buddy Basketball.

Beadenkopf said that the Parks & Recreation board still needs a third representative for Morgan County Schools. Former board president Steve Unger moved from the area.

A third representative is also needed for the Town of Bath since Jeremy Compton resigned from the Parks & Recreation board.

Current board members
Current Parks & Recreation board members are Morgan County Schools representatives school board member Aaron Close and Bryan Heironimus, Morgan County Commission representatives John Rowland, Commissioner Brad Close and Mike Burks and Town of Bath representatives Gordon MacLeod and Gary Slaught.

Aaron Close is currently Morgan County Parks & Recreation acting president and acting secretary.

Director not chosen yet
Commissioner Brad Close said that the Parks & Recreation board hasn’t discussed the director’s position yet.

He had planned to announce Beadenkopf’s departure as director at this week’s commission meeting and get some input from Commissioners Stacy Dugan and Brenda Hutchinson about what needs to be done.

Speaking for himself and not for the Parks & Recreation board or the commission, Close felt that when someone leaves that it’s an opportunity to evaluate where things are.

They needed to use the opportunity to take a hard look at Parks & Recreation and “to plan and see what the future holds and where we want to take it,” he said.

Close hoped that some interest in Parks & Recreation would be sparked and that more people would get involved.

Commended as volunteer
Close commended Beadenkopf for all that he has done for Parks & Recreation over the years, all on his own time as a volunteer. Beadenkopf was also always before the commission making sure that the organization received funding for things it needed, he said.

Under Beadenkopf's direction, Parks & Recreation improved facilities, offered tennis in conjunction with the Morgan County Tennis Association and created North Berkeley Community Park and the BS2 Skate Park at Harmison Field with the help of community organizations and volunteers.

Board, facilities
A couple of people have shown interest in serving on the Parks & Recreation board. Close said he passed their names along. He hopes they will get the board positions filled soon.

Anyone that is interested in serving on the Parks & Recreation board can contact the school board office or the town or let a board member know of their interest.

They have made arrangements for the ball fields to be prepared for use this season. Close said he spoke with Beadenkopf last weekend about the mulch for North Berkeley Community Park. In springtime, they prepare the facilities for use during the spring, summer and fall, Close said.

Meetings
Morgan County Parks & Recreation meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Morgan County Emergency Medical Services building on U.S. Route 522 South.

Their next meeting is on March 21. The public is welcome to attend.