MetroParks board chooses new executive director

Youngstown

The Mill Creek MetroParks board of park commissioners chose a new executive director after a country-wide search that lasted more than a year.

Clarke Johnson, 59, of Franklin, Wisc., was named the new executive director and will make a public statement at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The board will officially vote on the appointment at its regular meeting at 4 p.m. Monday at the MetroParks Farm in Canfield.

Johnson, who grew up in Columbus, has more than 30 years experience in parks and recreation in Wisconsin, Missouri and Indiana.

He said he looks forward to carrying on the traditions that MetroParks founder Volney Rogers implemented nearly 120 years ago.

“Being from here and knowing this system has a great deal of value, I’m very interested in getting closer to its roots,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he plans to take time to get to know the MetroParks staff and the district’s surrounding communities.

“I really want to work with the team here and find out the direction we should be going,” he said. “I hope to lead the charge in that.”