Nancy Merrill named state parks director
Former Eagle Mayor Nancy Merrill has been named Idaho's new state parks director, the state Board of Parks and Recreation announced today. “The Board selected Nancy Merrill from among some very qualified candidates and because of her abilities to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people, her genuine enthusiasm for Idaho’s recreational opportunities, and a political acumen with the people who govern this state,” said Steve Klatt, board chairman. “She will provide the potential benefits of a creative fresh outlook on the troubling aspects of agency budget reductions we are forced to live with.”
Merrill replaces former director Bob Meinen, who stepped down earlier this year amid health problems. You can read the full announcement from the parks department below by clicking "continue reading."
Merrill Selected As Director of
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
BOISE (September 14, 2009)—The Idaho Park and Recreation Board announced today that Nancy Merrill, has been selected as the new director of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR).
Merrill is the former Mayor of Eagle, Idaho and co-chaired the Eagle Island State Park Master Plan Task Force.
With a lifelong interest in Idaho’s outdoors, Merrill worked actively as the Mayor of Eagle to create recreational opportunities with extremely limited financial resources.
“The Board selected Nancy Merrill from among some very qualified candidates and because of her abilities to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people, her genuine enthusiasm for Idaho’s recreational opportunities, and a political acumen with the people who govern this state,” said Board Chair, Steve Klatt. “She will provide the potential benefits of a creative fresh outlook on the troubling aspects of agency budget reductions we are forced to live with.”
As the director of the agency Merrill will oversee the operation of 30 state parks and recreational trail ways. The agency registers about 86,000 boats, 52,000 snowmobiles and over 135,000 motorbikes and ATV’s. In addition, the agency manages grant programs to serve those recreationists, placing over $7 million back on the ground annually, in the form of access improvements.
Merrill will take over her new duties September 21, 2009.
To learn more about Idaho’s
State Parks and Recreation Programs, visit www.parksandrecreation.idaho.
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