New Parks & Recreation Director Tiffany Walker Gets Enthusiastic Introduction

During staff reports at the September 17 meeting of the Warren County Board of Supervisors board Chairman Cheryl Cullers acknowledged Deputy County Administrator Jane Meadows with some enthusiasm. “Ms. Meadows, you have great news?” Cullers asked Meadows, at the podium with a guest.

“Yes, great news,” Meadows replied in introducing her guest. “If you have not had the opportunity to meet Tiffany Walker, we have selected Tiffany as our new director for Parks & Recreation,” Meadows said with a nod her guests way as a round of applause from those present met the news. Walker, a department veteran of nearly two decades replaces recently retired Director Dan Lenz after his total of 37 years at the helm of Parks & Rec.

County Human Resources Director Kayla Darr explained Lenz’s tenure to us beginning in late 1986 under Town oversight (14 years) to another 23 years beginning in late 2000 when oversight was handed over to the County, as we recall as part of the effort to end double taxation of Town of Front Royal citizens for county-wide services town citizens were being taxed for twice, as both county and town citizens.

“Tiffany has actually been a part of our Parks & Recreation team for the last 19 years. She has continued to grow and develop with the department and we’re really excited to see the programming and expansion and growth that she’s been able to bring to partnerships with numerous people in the community – it has been amazing,” Meadows enthused of Walker’s impact as an organizational staffer.

New Parks & Rec Department Director Tiffany Walker, right, is introduced by Deputy County Administrator Jane Meadows at the supervisors Sept. 17 meeting. The 19-year Parks & Rec staffers appointment after Dan Lenz’s retirement was met with enthusiasm. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

Meadows acknowledged Walker’s Bachelor’s Degree from Ferrum College, observing, “Your degree is a mouthful, so I’m going to skip it,” drawing a smile from the new department director.

“But we’re really excited. I think Tiffany’s leadership is what the team needs. And I think it will be fantastic for the Recreation Commission and for the county as a whole,” Meadows added more seriously of the new director’s prospects leading the department she has been an integral part of for nearly two decades.

As Walker stepped toward the podium microphone, board Vice-Chairman “Jay” Butler commended her leadership qualities that he had observed from his oversight commission work.

“Well, thank you for that, and thank you guys for the opportunity. I’m very excited to continue to build programming and recreational opportunities for the county. It’s a passion of mine and I’ll strive to do the best than I can do for you,” Walker told the county’s elected officials and its citizens.

Chairman Cullers then recalled that Walker had been a year or two ahead of her son in school here, observing, “And I remember your sportsmanship and how you played with passion. And I’m sure you’re going to bring the same thing, so, thank you.”

“Thank you for that, I appreciate it,” Walker replied to applause from both the public gallery and board dais as she and Meadows left the podium. Walker officially began her director’s tenure the previous day, Monday, September 16, 2024, according to the County Human Resources Department.

Walker seems a prime candidate to carry the County Parks & Recreation Department mission forward. That mission is described below on the department’s portion of the Warren County website.

“Our mission is to enrich the lives of the residents of Warren County by providing safe, accessible parks and recreation facilities and affordable, diverse recreation and cultural opportunities for people of all ages to play, learn, and build community. We create community through people, parks, and programs.

A portion of the front page of the Parks & Rec section of the official Warren County website, with its new director in place.

“We strive to deliver top-notch services to our participants with individual attention to make your experience memorable. If you have any queries about our facilities or programs, want to report an issue, or wish to understand more about what we offer, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.”

Just a little math footnote to this story: were Tiffany Walker to match her predecessor’s tenure as department head, someone will be acknowledging her retirement in 2061.