Parks and rec chief listens to community

When Sandpoint resident Kim Woodruff graduated from college 19 years ago, he was ready to take on the world. Now serving as director of Sandpoint’s recently merged Parks and Recreation Department, Woodruff feels that same enthusiasm again.

“I feel like I’m 23,” said Woodruff. “This (job) has personally and professionally re-energized me.”

For the last 18 years, Woodruff served as the Director of Sandpoint’s Recreation Department. But when he learned that Maurice Dunn, director of Sandpoint Parks Department, planned to retire, Woodruff had an idea. He developed a job description and a flow chart and approached the City Council about merging the departments into one, with Woodruff serving as director.

“The trend both statewide and nationally is to combine the parks and recreation departments,” Woodruff said.

The proposal was accepted, and he began his new position last month.

As he describes his new role, one can see he is a detail-oriented man of vision. The ideas pour out and his love of his job is evident.

Initially, Woodruff’s primary focus is to seek input from the community about the needs and wants of those who use the parks.

“They’re not my parks, they belong to the people,” he said. “We (the department staff) are just stewards of the resources. So each decision I make, I ask myself what is truly best for the citizens of Sandpoint.”

Woodruff said he will rely on the Parks and Recreation Commission to learn more about community needs. Formed approximately one year ago, the commission is made up of several area residents including a member of the City Council and a high school student who represents youths in the community.

Woodruff credits his predecessor Dunn with having the foresight to create and build the parks improvement fund, which will allow the commission to continue to look at new ways to develop city-owned land. The money in that fund, which comes from various sources including a park land dedication fee assessed on new development, helped build or improve more than $1 million in projects from 1993 through 2004.

Woodruff manages more than 100 employees, including those who are part-time or seasonal. He gives them the credit for the success of the park system.

“I inherited a very solid department,” he said.

Those familiar with Woodruff are pleased to see him in his new position. He is known among residents for his open door policy and eagerness to help those who work and volunteer in the many athletic programs.

Jennifer Merwin, who also has a degree in recreation administration, has coached volleyball under Woodruff’s reign as director of recreation. She appreciates the dedication he has to the community.

“Being in recreation is a very hard job,” said Merwin, who served as youth services director for the San Luis Obispo, Calif., YMCA for 10 years. “You deal with kids with all different backgrounds. You have to work on getting scholarship money for those who cannot afford it (the registration fee) and families who have requests for their child to be on certain teams.”

Thanks to the youth scholarship fund, which receives donations from local businesses and organizations, Woodruff is able to ensure that no child is left out when it comes to sports.

“We never turn away a child,” he said.

Merwin said Woodruff was the perfect fit for recreation director and has no doubt he will excel in his new role, as well.

“Kim thinks of every child – not just the athletic one. He is very approachable and positive and makes sure all the kids have fun,” Merwin said.

Woodruff’s dedication to kids is not limited to his professional life. The father of three children ranging from fifth grade to ninth grade, he has coached each of his children in every sport with the exception of baseball. In the summer, the family spends its time sailing on Lake Pend Oreille.

Tending to shy away from team sports, Woodruff finds greater satisfaction in individual sports such as tennis and squash. He and his wife, Gina, whom he calls his most wonderful best friend, also train for triathlons together. But foremost in his life is his family.

“Our main focus is our family and our kids,” he said. He already dreads the day when they leave for college. He values his time with them and is grateful he can raise them in a place that offers so much in the way of parks and activities.

“Sandpoint has the same amenities as a town four times its size,” Woodruff said.

If there is one thing Woodruff hopes to pass on to not only his own kids, but to others in the community, it is to take pride in the public parks. He urges all adults to share that responsibility with their children.

“A lot of vandalism occurs because of peer pressure,” Woodruff said. “It takes resources to counter that. We need to take our message into the schools and everyone needs to share that value system with those they touch.”