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RAIN Temp: 42 °F Wind: SSW at 3 mph Monday, April 21, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 24, 2003 New parks and rec director tackles job The first project on his plate will be the new 132-acre sports park on Highway 99 across from Bear Creek Corp. By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune After a five month wait, Medford’s new parks and recreation director is ready to play ball."I’m really happy to be here," said Scott Archer, 35, who started his new job Monday.Parks needs have already been identified, he said, so his first job is learning what those are."Obviously there’s already a nice parks and rec system in place."Archer moved to Medford from Ellensburg, Wash., where he was the parks and recreation department director for four years. Prior to that, he worked in a school district and parks and recreation districts.He was hired by Medford in October to replace Greg Jones.Jones, parks director for 22 years, retired in July and was hired back temporarily while the city looked for his replacement.Archer said he wanted to postpone starting his new job until closer to the end of the school year, and city officials decided he was worth the wait.His wife, Tami, and three children Jordan, 10; Megan, 8; and Jacob, 4, will be moving to the Rogue Valley after the school year is complete.The first project on his plate will be the new 132-acre sports park on Highway 99 across from Bear Creek Corp. which will include softball, baseball, soccer and other sports fields, plus hiking trails.With his experience in developing a 78-acre sports complex in Ellensburg Archer is already warmed up for the game."There are a lot of needs in this community," he said. "Part of my role is figuring out what needs are not being met."Archer will oversee 38 sites in Medford, ranging from the 1,740-acre Prescott Park and the sports park to a half-acre triangle of grass at Court Street and Central Avenue."Maintenance is a challenge," he said, adding that the city is going to have to be creative with maintaining what it already owns.He’d like to see more activities added to the parks programs.Because parks add to the mental, physical and spiritual health of residents as well as the economic health of a community, they’re important for any city, he said.Tom Hilton, recreation superintendent with Medford’s parks department, said he knew Archer five or six years ago when Archer worked for the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District and they planned sports programs together through the Oregon Recreation and Parks Association."He never stepped away from responsibility," said Hilton. "He always followed through. And he was always very approachable."Hilton describes the new director as not just experienced at parks planning, but as very involved in community parks as an actual parks user."He’s very knowledgeable about the recreation field, (and) he’s a participant," he said. "He walks the walk." Archer said its that interest in athletics that helps him do a good job."I offer a lot of energy," he said. "I offer a passion for what I do." Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S