Jesús Aguirre named new Parks and Recreation director

City Manager T.C. Broadnax has appointed Jesús Aguirre as the city’s new parks head. Aguirre was formerly the CEO of Waterloo Greenway and serves as chair of the National Recreation and Park Association and the Children and Nature Network. Aguirre previously worked for the parks and recreation departments of Seattle and the District of Columbia, and his hiring is the result of a national search. “I’m honored to join the Austin PARD team as we work to inspire Austinites to connect, protect, learn and play,” Aguirre said. “Austin is at a pivotal moment of growth and change, and parks and recreation are essential to ensuring our communities remain healthy, vibrant and inclusive. I am excited to work with our community members to create spaces where everyone can thrive.” He will start on Jan. 12.