New boss for county parks

By Pat Jenkins

The Dispatch

Pierce County has somebody new watching over its 4,000-plus acres of parks and other public recreation sites.

Roxanne Miles has been named as the new director of the Parks and Recreation Department, effective July 17. Her appointment by County Executive Bruce Dammeier is subject to confirmation by the County Council, which is expected.

Miles is replacing Tony Tipton, the former director. Tipton moved to a new job in county government -- special assistant to finance director -- as part of Dammeier's reorganization of programs and agencies since he took office in January.

Before her new duties, Miles worked worked in the county’s Planning and Public Works Department for the past year as the business and financial operations manager. She joined the county in December 2016 after spending 15 years with Metro Parks Tacoma, where her last assignment was as strategic advancement manager. She managed parks and recreation services and headed major planning initiatives. She was also involved in putting together a bond proposal in 2014 that was approved by voters in Tacoma. Northwest Trek, the wildlife park near Eatonville that is part of Metro Parks Tacoma, was among the programs that benefitted from the bond passing.

Pierce County has about 4,200 acres of 50 parks and other recreation sites. For the south Pierce County area, they include Frontier Park in Graham, Meridian Habitat Park in South Hill, Spanaway Park, and Sprinker Recreation Center. The latter, located near Spanaway Park and Spanaway Lake Golf Course, another county-owned facility, includes ballfields, tennis courts and an ice rink.

Other Parks and Recreation-managed facilities include two boat launches, three golf courses, and trails.

Miles’ education background includes a bachelor degree from Pacific Lutheran University and a masters in business administration from Corban University in Salem, Ore.