New Park Board director appointed

A new director has been named to lead the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

The city of Springfield and the Park Board this morning announced the selection of Ron Schneider to serve as director of parks and recreation. Schneider is scheduled to start July 8.

“The board was very impressed with his energy and his interest, specifically, in our parks system, and in recognizing that we’re already a leader in the field,” said Randall Blackwood, Park Board chair, in a news release. “As he learned more about our department and the resources available here, he was more excited, and his energy was infectious. He has a lot of ideas on new trends in parks and trails. He is going to bring a great deal of vision and continue the tradition of great parks leadership in our community.”

Schneider, who most recently served as executive director of the Freeport Park District in Freeport, Illinois, will succeed Bob Belote, who retired in January after 20 years with the Park Board. Jim Fisher, assistant director of administration for the Park Board, has led the department in the interim.

Schneider, who has a bachelor's in recreation, parks and tourism administration from Western Illinois University, has nearly 25 years of full-time management experience in the parks and recreation field, according to the release.

“I understand the importance of recreation and the value it brings to a community including quality of life outcomes and economic impact,” he said in the release. “I’m excited for the bright future of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and look to build upon the impressive level of service already offered.”

A search process led by the Park Board had representation from the city of Springfield.

Schneider's salary as Park Board director will be $180,000, said Jenny Fillmer Edwards, public information administrator for the Park Board.