Parks Director Darren Marsh Earns Top State Award from Park and Recreation Association

November 09, 2004
Sharyn Wisniewski (608) 267-8823

Darren Marsh, Dane County Parks Department interim director, was named the recipient of the Professional Award of Merit, the top professional award given by the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association, at their annual conference in Green Bay Nov. 2-5. County Executive Kathleen Falk named Marsh interim parks director in August 2003; he had served as the county’s parks operations manager since 1993. “Darren works incredibly hard to make our parks the jewels they are today. In his own modest way he credits his talented staff for his success, but Darren richly deserves this award,” said County Executive Falk. “He is incredibly hard working and innovative. We are fortunate to have him as our parks director.” Bill Lunney, chair of the Dane County Parks Commission, said, “Darren is an outstanding parks director. He gives the department a high level of service and is steering the department in the right direction.” Marsh oversees the county’s 7,000 acre park system, which includes 33 parks with a variety of facilities including boat launches, ski and nature trails and other amenities, and directs accomplishment of the Parks and Open Space Plan. A graduate of UW-Madison in Forestry and Park Recreation, Marsh was the Parks and Recreation Administrator for the Jackson County Forestry and Parks Department prior to joining Dane County in 1993. Marsh lives in Stoughton, with his wife, Dawn, and children Bryce and Casey. # # #