The City of Austin has appointed Jesús Aguirre as the new Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, effective January 13, 2025. Aguirre brings over 25 years of experience in public parks, nonprofit leadership, and public education to his new role. His previous leadership roles include directing parks and recreation departments in Washington, D.C., and Seattle.
Aguirre's appointment follows a national search and community input sessions where Austin residents met with the finalists for the position. As Director, he will oversee department operations, programs, facilities, and staff to ensure that Austin's parks meet the needs of its growing population.
His leadership history includes managing large-scale park systems and driving equity and sustainability initiatives. In Washington, D.C., Aguirre secured national accreditation for the Parks and Recreation Department. In Seattle, he launched a new park district that secured funding for improvements aligned with access, equity, and environmental sustainability goals.
Most recently, Aguirre served as CEO of Waterloo Greenway in downtown Austin. There he led initiatives connecting people with nature and culture while managing fundraising and partnerships.
Aguirre holds several leadership roles nationally. He is chair of the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) and the Children & Nature Network (C&NN). He is also part of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. Aguirre is a certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE) with an MBA from Arizona State University and a BA in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin.
An avid park user himself, Aguirre looks forward to collaborating with the Austin community to keep parks vibrant, inclusive, and accessible.