City of Celina Appoints Steve Walsh as Director of Parks & Recreation

CELINA, TX - The City of Celina is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Walsh as the new Director of Parks & Recreation, who will officially join the city in October. With a distinguished 25-year career at the City of Frisco Parks & Recreation Department, Walsh brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and innovation to Celina as it continues its rapid growth and development.

"I am honored to join the City of Celina during this dynamic period of growth and opportunity. I look forward to working with a talented team to deliver innovative and exceptional recreational experiences for our community," said Walsh.

Walsh's tenure in Frisco includes a variety of leadership roles. He has served as the Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation since 2021. He managed and oversaw the Recreation Services, Park Services, Natural Resources, and Business Services divisions in this role. His efforts in implementing an Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) solution were pivotal in maximizing department assets and ensuring long-term financial planning.

In addition to his most recent role, Walsh has served in several key positions in Frisco, including business services division manager, parks services division manager, recreation services division manager, facilities management superintendent, special projects coordinator, and general manager of the Frisco Superdome. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in reshaping department procedures, planning significant capital improvement projects, and mentoring peer departments as part of the National Parks and Recreation Association's accreditation program (CAPRA).

Walsh's significant achievements with the City of Frisco include directing three successful CAPRA accreditation initiatives, collaborating with city departments on significant capital improvement projects, and leading strategic planning efforts. His extensive managerial experience spans administration, recreation programming, facility management, park operations, and capital improvement projects, which will make him an invaluable asset to Celina.

"We are excited to welcome Steve as our new Director of Parks & Recreation. He brings tremendous experience and a proven track record of developing an award-winning parks & recreation department. His expertise in strategic planning, community engagement, and capital improvement projects will be instrumental as we continue to enhance our parks and recreational offerings. We are thrilled to have someone of his caliber leading our parks & recreation team as we look forward to the exciting possibilities ahead," said Celina City Manager Robert Ranc.

Walsh holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University. He and his wife, Tricia, recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and are proud parents of son Pierce and daughter Reese.