Opportunity excites interim Springfield-Greene County parks chief

Springfield News-Leader, September 14, 2011

Bob Belote hasn't been as visible to the public as his boss, but those who have seen him work expressed confidence in his ability to steer the department after Springfield-Greene County Parks Director Jodie Adams retires Nov. 10.

"Obviously the face of the parks system has been Jodie, but behind every great leader there's a great team ... (Belote's) at the top of that team now," said George Deatz, chairman of Friends of the Garden. Deatz said Adams' retirement "is a major concern" to the 800-plus members of that group, but Belote's selection as interim director put his mind at ease. "I think their vision is the same, I think they work well together. I think it's going to be a smooth transition."

A Springfield native, Belote served as director of parks and recreation in Independence and Sioux City, Iowa before he was hired by the Springfield-Greene County system in 2004. He was promoted to assistant director in 2006.

"He is well-qualified and has the energy and the enthusiasm and the knowledge to do a great job," said Jerry Clark, chairwoman of the park board. "It was a unanimous decision of the board with no hesitation to name him interim director."

During an interview Tuesday, Belote said he's excited by the opportunity -- and "absolutely" plans to apply for the job on a permanent basis. "Springfield and the park system here is the envy of the state," he said. "I left a really good job in Independence ... I wouldn't have left that to go anywhere else but here."

Belote, who grew up in Springfield and graduated from Missouri State University, said parks here have played a central role in his life. He met his wife, Deana, while working as youth baseball coordinator in 1989.

Parks jobs in Blue Springs and Sioux City followed. As parks director in Independence, Belote helped craft that system's first master plan. During Belote's tenure, Independence voters approved a pair of sales tax initiatives benefitting parks, including one for expansion and ongoing operations similar to those adopted here in 2001and 2006.

Jodie Adams Chats About Life After the Park Board

KOLR 10 interview broadcast September 13, 2011

Reported by: Jennifer Richardson

(Springfield, MO) -- A longtime city official is speaking out about her decision to retire from the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. As OzarksFirst.com told you last week, Jodie Adams, 54, is leaving her position as director later this year.

Adams is overjoyed about her retirement, in part because she says she will finally get time to do other things like travel -- even work with the Olympic committee.

She started as a park kid and will finish as an award-winning leader who's overseen a park system that she considers the people's parks. Strolling through Silver Springs Park in Springfield, Adams has only love for the entire system.

"I grew up in this system and to see it grow from when I came in. At 74, it basically has grown up with me."

But after 37 years with the Park Board and five years as director, she's sliding into retirement. "This system never sleeps," she says. "It's open seven days a week and I think the key for me is to have my life back of time it's all about time."

Nearly four decades ago, there were only 66 parks. Now there are 102 and they serve about six million visitors a year. Adams says she even gave up her hopes of tennis stardom for the swings of Springfield.

Watch the video and read the rest of Jodie's excellent interview, HERE.