Denver Parks and Recreation Director Kim Bailey is resigning from her post to take a job with Urban Centers for Outward Bound USA, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper announced today.
Bailey will remain in the region, as the vice president position she is accepting is in Golden, the mayor said.
Hickenlooper made the announcement during his weekly meeting with city council members. He said Bailey had told him in the morning that she was taking the new job.
Last year, council members scolded Bailey’s agency over the condition of the city’s parkways, and Bailey also endured criticism from council members for spending time away from the office for doctoral classes at the University of Colorado at Denver.
Bailey had declined a $5,197 raise Hickenlooper had proposed to her $110,423 salary.
On Tuesday, Hickenlooper praised Bailey and said she would continue to serve as co-chairwoman of a task force assessing the needs of Denver’s parks and recreation system.
“We’re really sad to lose someone so talented and who has put in so much time and effort,” the mayor said.
In a press release, the mayor said Bailey had spearheaded his plan to add 1 million trees to metropolitan Denver by 2025.
Her resignation becomes effective May 27. The mayor announced that Scott Robson, the city’s deputy manager of parks and recreation, will take over as acting manager of the agency. A search for a replacement will begin immediately.
“She’s going to get a lot more money and will have to abilit to focus on her specific passion of creating meaningful experiences and places for kids, and she won’t have to endure the scrutiny comes with these public sector jobs, the mayor said in a later interview.
Council members also praised Bailey’s tenure.
“She brought things to the city that we never even dreamed of,” said Councilwoman Peggy Lehmann.
Bailey could not be reached for comment.
In her new job with Outward Bound, she will direct operational support and leadership for the non-profits three urban centers of Baltimore, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. She will head planning for new centers to be established in other cities, including Denver.
Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com
