Tuscaloosa Leader

As 2022 came to a close, we also celebrated PARA’s outgoing Executive Director, Gary Minor. Join us in congratulating Gary on all that he has accomplished at PARA and in wishing him well in all his future endeavors.

Gary’s family, friends, PARA Board members, and coworkers gathered at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center back in December to celebrate his career in public recreation, which spans three decades. Several of Gary’s colleagues, including Lou Marino (UA Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management), Natalie Norman (Executive Director of Alabama Recreation & Parks Association), and Peggy Hogue (longtime PARA Board member), spoke of Gary’s accomplishments, attesting to his outstanding character and dedication to his profession. City of Tuscaloosa Councilors Lee Busby, John Faile, and Norman Crow also presented Gary with an official Proclamation from the office of Mayor Walt Maddox.

Gary’s career in recreation can be traced back to The University of Alabama where he held the position of Head Golf Professional before later serving as the Head Golf Coach at Shelton State Community College. Gary began his career with PARA as a Program Coordinator and worked his way through the ranks, becoming a Recreation Manager, and later, the Superintendent of Recreation. Eleven years ago, Gary was chosen as PARA’s Executive Director by the PARA Board. He is only one of three people to hold the position since the organization’s inception in 1969. In Gary’s own words, “Working as Executive Director for Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority has been the highlight of my life and my career. I love this organization and our community immensely.”

Gary’s tenure as PARA’s Executive Director started only one month prior to the April 2011 tornado that devastated the Tuscaloosa community. Gary worked tirelessly to ensure that all available PARA resources, including staff, equipment, and properties operated efficiently toward relief efforts. The Belk Activity Center functioned as the largest and longest operating temporary storm shelter in the State.

Under Gary’s skilled leadership, PARA developed its first modern recreation centers, nature parks, skate parks, campgrounds, dog parks, aquatic playgrounds, and so much more. Gary brought organized soccer, baseball, and flag football to PARA as well as the sport of pickleball. Gary’s extensive recreation knowledge and love for the outdoors extended into countless projects (see below), including partnering with the Alabama State Parks Division to build new trails, as well as dozens of innovative events including drive-in movie nights, Oktoberfest, Travel Tea, Tuscaloosa Gauntlet, senior dances, fishing tournaments, senior dances, Halloween Trails/Boo! in the Park, Outdoor Adventure Camp, and Parents Night Out, just to name a few. Additionally, Gary increased tournaments and worked alongside various organizations to bring events such as Warrior Dash, The Color Run, UFC, gymnastics, southeastern archery competitions, job fairs, and the Epson Tour (LPGA qualifier) to Tuscaloosa further contributing to an experience-based economy. Gary also played a large role in securing the Dixie Youth Baseball (DYB) Division I and II World Series being hosted by PARA this summer at Bowers Park Sports Complex.  

Gary introduced PARA fitness classes and programs such as PARAkids Extended Day along with revamping senior programming (para4Life), leading PARA to be recognized by park and recreation peers as the best park and recreation in the State of Alabama, an award an agency can receive only once every five years. PARA received the award in 2015 and again in 2020. Gary stated, “The thing I am most proud of here is the quality of the staff we have working at PARA. We have a group of people who are knowledgeable about park and recreation and more importantly, they care about PARA, the things we do, and the experiences our citizens have.” 

Gary also serves as a Board Member for the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority, Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission (Visit Tuscaloosa), and the University of Alabama Recreation Board. 

While we will miss Gary tremendously here at PARA, we wish him fun adventures of his own with more time for hiking, canoeing, camping, and fishing. Luckily for us, Gary will continue to stay on with PARA during this transitional phase and has pledged to continue sharing his knowledge to help PARA employees, the Board, and the Board Chair in continuing to accomplish PARA’s goal of providing fun, fitness, and culture to the citizens of Tuscaloosa County. Thank you, Gary, for everything you have done for PARA and the community!

Original source can be found here.