Martin County Parks director resigns

STUART — Martin County Parks and Recreation Director Richard Blankenship has resigned, effective May 14.

Blankenship gave no reason for his resignation in the one-line letter he submitted Friday to Acting County Administrator Taryn Kryzda.

“Please accept my resignation as Parks and Recreation Director effective May 14, 2010,” Blankenship said in his letter.

Blankenship could not immediately be reached for comment on the reason for his resignation, his plans for the future, or the highlights of his two-decade career in the Martin County Parks and Recreation Department.

Blankenship took over the leadership of the department in January 2007, following the retirement of his predecessor, Bob Dennison.

Despite budget cuts and park closings, Blankenship’s department was certified in March as one of North America’s premier departments for operation and service by the National Parks and Recreation Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies.

He also has overseen the downsizing of the department as a result of budget cuts.

In addition, Blankenship served on the Aquatics Complex selection committee, which is scheduled to pick a contractor for negotiations on May 17.

“With respect to Richard’s participation in the Aquatics Center selection committee, a replacement member will be selected,” Administrative Services Division Administrator Garry Gierlicz said in an e-mail.