Bob Belote, the longtime director of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, announced his plan to retire in mid-January of 2024.
Belote's announcement came down on Oct. 27.
Prior to being named director in 2012, Belote worked in other capacities for the Park Board, including as assistant director and superintendent of recreation. Belote worked in parks departments in other communities in Missouri and Iowa.
“Our parks here are very personal for our residents, as they provide a real sense of renewal, hope and pride,” Belote said in a press release. “I know this from the way our parks and outdoor spaces helped develop me as a kid growing up here in Springfield, as well as the continued impact they’ve had on my family, as our children have experienced them growing up. It’s a really special park system, with a really special team in place to help manage it. It’s truly been my honor and privilege to be a part of it for all these years.”
A Springfield native and graduate of Kickapoo High School, Belote has a master's degree in parks, recreation and tourism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and met his wife while they were both Springfield-Greene County Park Board employees.
Belote described his role as director for the Park Board as the “pinnacle of his career,” a career that drew praise from both Park Board chair Randy Blackwood and Springfield City Manager Jason Gage.
“Bob has done a terrific job leading the Springfield-Greene County parks, one of Missouri's most impressive municipal park systems,” Gage said in the release. “He is a wonderful person and a big contributor to our leadership team. We will definitely miss him.”
Blackwood said that Belote’s retirement is leaving “tremendously big shoes to fill,” and commended Belote's professionalism, passion and forward thinking, specifically lauding his focus on sports tourism.
Under his tenure as director, the Park Board secured funding to finance $27.4 million in improvements to the Cooper Park Sports Complex, celebrated the Dickerson Park Zoo’s 100th anniversary and received national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation for Park and Recreation Agencies, among other highlights and recognitions.
“(O)ur Parks system has taken a positive trajectory during his tenure as parks director, and we are in a position to use that blueprint for even greater success,” Blackwood said.
In retirement, Belote intends to spend more time with family, volunteering and enjoying the parks rather than managing them.
The Park Board and the City of Springfield will begin the search and selection process for a new director, though an interim director will be named in the weeks ahead.
