Longtime city parks director to retire

Bill McKinney, long-time director for the St Joseph Department of Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities, has announced his retirement from the city of St. Joseph.

In a news release, city officials say Mr McKinney’s vision for the parks, recreation programs, and civic facilities has produced the important amenities and quality of life features that help give St. Joseph its character, charm, and home-town feel.

Officials say they also make the city competitive with much larger communities. Over 27 years with the city of St. Joseph, he was responsible for numerous projects that we enjoy today.

Those projects including the Remington Nature Center, REC Center, Aquatic Park, Summer Jam basketball complex at Bode Arena, Heritage Park Softball Complex, Bartlett Park complex, Fairview Golf Course clubhouse, Joyce Raye Patterson Senior Center fitness center, the Parks Administration building, and the numerous upgrades and improvements to many other parks facilities.

He has been instrumental in bringing many men’s major and world softball championship tournaments as well as youth state and national tournaments.

Chuck Kempf, recreation program and facilities manager, will serve as the interim director unti.a new director is hired.