James named Lawton’s new head of parks & rec

LAWTON – Lawton has a new parks and recreation director.

Christine James, who has worked for the city for 18 years, served as the interim parks and recreation director in September before accepting the full position this month, the city said Wednesday in a news release.

James began her career with the city in 2003, when she served as the assistant real property administrator for the city attorney’s office, according to the news release. She served as the right-of-way agent for the city’s engineering department in 2006 before becoming a plans examiner with the license and permits division in 2007.

In 2014, James accepted the position of planning technician within the planning department. She later became a housing development specialist with Lawton’s housing and community development division.

In 2018, James began serving as the city’s housing and community development division administrator. Then in 2020, she accepted the position of community services director before serving as the interim parks and rec director.

James holds several certificates, including certification as a lead-based paint risk assessor from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and as a building plans examiner from the International Code Council, according to the news release. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a focus on finance, from Oklahoma State University in 2002.

James said she was excited about her new role.

“I have proudly served the city of Lawton and its citizens for the past 18 years,” she said in the news release. “I look forward to expanding my professional career within the city’s parks and recreation department while continuing my passion to better our community.”

James will replace former parks and recreation director Jeffery Temple, who stepped down earlier this year.

As the parks and recreation director, James will manage the department’s operations, according to the news release. She will also review policies and procedures to make the following divisions more efficient: Arts and Humanities, Sports and Aquatics, Recreation Services, Lakes, Parks Maintenance, Cemetery, Landscape Maintenance, Building Maintenance and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

James has a successful history with the city, said Deputy City Manager Dewayne Burk, who oversees the parks and recreation department.

“Her passion for the community and work ethic will serve her, the department and the community well in her new role,” Burk said