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OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department has hired James Timberlake as director of state parks.
Timberlake comes to Oklahoma State Parks from Santa Fe Family Life Center, a nonprofit sports and fitness complex in Oklahoma City that serves Oklahomans of all abilities. Timberlake had served as the center's executive director since 2015.
"We are so lucky to be able to add someone of James' caliber to our team," said Jerry Winchester, executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department. "He's overseen tremendous growth at his previous executive positions, and we know he'll provide the same results for Oklahoma State Parks. He has incredible passion and vision for the parks, and we're excited to see him put his ideas into action."
Timberlake will take over management of a state parks system that has undergone substantial transformation in recent years, thanks in large part to a $48.6 million bond issue provided by the Oklahoma Legislature and a parking pass program that has generated over $3 million in funding for projects of all sizes.
"It's thrilling to be able to take on a position like this during a time of such significant growth," Timberlake said. "There are so many great things happening in our parks right now. I am looking forward to digging in and finding ways to make the visitor experience even better for Oklahomans as well as out-of-state travelers — all while carefully maintaining and preserving these incredible natural resources so future generations can enjoy them."
In 2021, Quartz Mountain State Park, one of the state's original seven state parks, rejoined the Oklahoma State Park system. Its lodge underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation, restoring its status as one of the crown jewels of the state parks system. The lodges at Beavers Bend State Park in Broken Bow and Robbers Cave State Park in Wilburton are currently being renovated, and more lodges are scheduled to see upgrades in the coming years.
Several additional lodging options have also been added at parks around the state in recent years, including mini cabins at Foss State Park in Foss and Lake Murray State Park in Ardmore and yurts at Beavers Bend State Park.
Other recent upgrades have included repaving roads, improving internet connectivity, upgrading campsites and renovating or adding additional restroom facilities at many parks. Five parks have also gotten new Swadley's Foggy Bottom Kitchen restaurants, with a sixth set to open soon at Robbers Cave State Park.
Oklahoma State Parks also launched its first app in 2020. It is available on the App Store and the Google Play Store.
Timberlake takes over the role previously occupied by Kris Marek, who retired in late 2021.
Timberlake is a native of DeWitt, Nebraska. He received a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is currently in the Master of Business Administration program at Oklahoma State University.
Before working at Santa Fe Family Life Center, Timberlake spent nearly two years as the Executive Director of Development for All Saints Catholic Newman Center, which serves students at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.
For more information, contact:
David White, Director of Public Information and Government Affairs
Office: 405-815-5113 | Cell: 405-308-6005
David.White@TravelOK.com
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About the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department |
