Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation names new director

The Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation has appointed Michael W. Klitzing as director of Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR). Klitzing has served as the chief operating officer for CCPR since 2004 and will assume the role of director immediately.

“Michael is a proven leader with a great vision for the future,” said Richard F. Taylor III, president of the Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation. “Our parks, facilities and programming are assets to our community. I look forward to seeing how Michael continues to move the department forward through innovation.”

As director, Klitzing will be responsible for the overall operations of CCPR. He will serve as a member of the City of Carmel Technical Advisory Committee, which reviews all technical aspects of proposed development before presentation to the Plan Commission or Board of Zone Appeals. Klitzing will represent CCPR in planning efforts with other local units of government serving the Carmel/Clay community such as the White River Vision Plan and Carmel Clay School’s Expedition Program.

Klitzing, a Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE), has extensive experience as a leader in the parks and recreation field. Under his leadership, CCPR has grown significantly, obtained national accreditation, and earned numerous awards and recognition for its excellence in management and innovative facilities and programs.

“I am honored to continue serving the residents of Carmel and Clay Township in my new capacity as director,” Klitzing said. “Along with our tremendous and dedicated staff, I am thrilled to be part of CCPR’s very bright future as we work together to provide impactful, innovative, and sustainable parks and recreation services for our community.”

Klitzing is a member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), commissioner on the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, and member of the Lake Lemon Conservancy District Board. Klitzing was the recipient of NRPA’s 2018 National Distinguished Professional Award. Klitzing was named the 2015 Recreation Alumnus of the Year by Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and inducted into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in 2017.