Park Board names new assistant director

provided by Springfield-Greene County Park Board

Matt Coats' new role is effective Dec. 28.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board has named a new assistant director of parks.

Matt Coats started in the role, which oversees the operations division, on Dec. 28, according to a news release. He succeeds Miles Park, who retired Dec. 18 after 23 years of service with the Park Board.

With more than 25 years of Park Board management experience, Coats serves under Park Board Director Ron Schneider, who has been at the helm since mid-2024. Coats most recently served nine years as superintendent of special facilities, managing Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park, Lake Springfield Park, Lost Hill Park and others, and his career also includes a stint as assistant golf course superintendent at Rivercut Golf Course. 

“He is particularly passionate about environmental stewardship, creative problem solving and project management,” Schneider said in the release. “I look forward to a new era of parks management under Matt’s leadership and strategically advancing the mission of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.”

As assistant director over operations, Coats leads divisions including planning, parks and open space, turf and sports complexes, trails and greenways, and safety and risk management.

“I love working with people,” Coats said in the release. “I’m excited to work with new people and learn about them and support them and be there for them. I think that’s what I’m best at, and I’m up for the challenge.”