Larry Parks
LAWTON – The new director of the municipal Parks and Recreation Department is a U.S. Army veteran.
Larry Parks was appointed by Interim City Manager John Ratliff to succeed Christine James, who became the City of Lawton’s internal auditor earlier this year.
Parks previously served as a senior supply manager for the Fort Sill Logistics Readiness Center for six years. He also was an active-duty senior noncommissioned officer with more than 30 years of experience in leadership, logistics, and sustainment operations. He has served at several senior echelons of the U.S. Army.
His military service included tours in Europe, Korea, and Japan, as well as combat tours in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Somalia, and Afghanistan.
Parks, a Muskogee native, is married to the former Leslie White and they have three children.
He has earned several senior logistics certifications, and received a Bachelor of Science in Administrative and Business Management from Park University.
In his new role, Parks will oversee the department's operations, review policies and procedures to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of divisions such as arts and humanities, sports and aquatics, recreation services, lakes, parks maintenance, cemetery, landscape maintenance, building maintenance, and RSVP.
Lawton has 65 parks constituting approximately 670 acres, according to Caitlin Gatlin, the city’s communications and marketing manager.
“Larry is the consummate professional and team player,” Ratliff said.