The City of Ashland welcomes Rocky Houston as the new Parks & Recreation Director. Rocky brings extensive Natural Resource Management Experience to the City of Ashland Parks and Recreation Department.
Rocky is a seasoned professional in natural resource management, previously serving as the Parks & Lands Division Manager for Clark County Public Works. Since July 2021, Rocky has overseen 13,000 acres of natural areas and developed parks, managing a budget of $40 million and a diverse team of 96 full-time and seasonal staff along with a robust volunteer program.
Rocky’s tenure at Clark County Public Works involves operating 87 developed parks across the Greater Clark Park District and regional areas within the 632 square miles of Clark County. His initiatives include the Greater Clark Parks District, Regional Parks system, Parks Planning and Development Program, Noxious Weeds Program, Conservation Futures Program, Forestry Program and Short Line Railroad. Additionally, he managed the division's budget and oversaw six advisory committees, representing the division at various community events and presentations.
Prior to his role with Clark County, Rocky served as the Parks Department Director & Lands Department Director for Douglas County, OR, from July 2016 to July 2021. There, he was responsible for 69 parks across a 3,000-acre area, managing budgets, coordinating staff activities and overseeing real property transactions and forestry management.
From April 2004 to June 2016, Rocky was the State Trails Coordinator for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department in Salem, OR. He managed the State Parks trails program, including planning, design, development and construction, as well as a grant program providing up to $7 million annually to various land managers.
Rocky holds an Executive Masters of Public Administration from Portland State University, a Bachelor of Science in History and Psychology from Western Oregon University, and a Project Management Professional Certificate from the Project Management Institute. His exemplary work has earned him several awards, including the Safety Award (2019) and Asset Management Award (2018) from the Oregon Recreation & Parks Association.
He has served on numerous committees, such as the Oregon Coast Trail Gap Project, Oregon Recreation and Parks Association Board, Scenic Byway Committee, Oregon Recreation Trails Advisory Council and Oregon Scenic Bikeway Committee, demonstrating his commitment to enhancing public parks and recreation facilities.
Additionally, Rocky has contributed to community projects and initiatives, such as the Capital Futbol Club in Salem, OR, where he served as Director of Operations and was instrumental in the development and management of a 40-acre soccer complex.
"The City of Ashland is thrilled to welcome Rocky Houston as our new Parks & Recreation Director. His extensive background and leadership skills will greatly benefit our community," said the Human Resource Director, Molly Taylor.
“It is an honor to serve the City of Ashland. The Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission has been working to meet the community's recreational needs for 115 years. That legacy of community engagement and support was a draw for me. As a native southern Oregonian, it is great to be back. I look forward to working with you, the community, to continue the legacy of developing and managing premier recreational programming, active adult programming and recreational facilities,” stated Rocky.
Rocky will succeed Interim Parks Director Leslie Eldridge, who served from July 2023 through June 2024. Eldridge stepped in following the tenure of Michael Black, who led the Parks and Recreation Department for over nine years.
Remember, “We are Better Together!”
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