Press Release
City Announces New Director of Parks and Open Space
Ten Year Parks Employee Matt Kuhn Promoted to Position
Contact: Austin Weiss, Director of Parks and Recreation, 970-429-2023 or Austin.weiss@cityofaspen.com
Aspen, Colorado – April 19, 2021 – The City of Aspen Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce the promotion of Matt Kuhn to the position of Director of Parks and Open Space. Kuhn has been serving as the interim director since June 2020. “We’re so proud to have Matt at the helm of this department,” said Austin Weis, Director of Parks and Recreation. “This job requires someone with a deep passion for providing the community with world class parks and trails and an ethic of public land stewardship and protection. Matt’s vast work and life experience made him a perfect fit for the position. We are excited to continue to see his leadership skills put to work for our residents and visitors.”
Kuhn previously served as the Business Services Director, Operations Manager, and Trails Manager for the City’s Parks and Open Space Department and began his career doing summer seasonal trail maintenance in 2005. “I feel honored to have this opportunity to serve the public by helping guide the preservation, stewardship, and management of our valuable City owned public lands,” Kuhn said. “I understand how much our properties and facilities nurture our community and provide spaces to recreate, contemplate, and share time with friends and family. I look forward to continue to guide the management of these community resources.”
The Director of Parks and Open Space is responsible for the management and direction of the department and supervises a large staff of full-time and seasonal workers. Overall, the director provides leadership and direction for short- and long-term plans for all the City’s parks and open space properties and programs.
In addition to past work for the City, Kuhn has a background in natural resource management with the US Forest Service and worked as the Park Assistant in Lobéké National Park in Cameroon during his time serving in the Peace Corps.
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