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HomeNewsClarksville Mayor Kim McMillan names Jennifer Byard Clarksville Parks and Recreation Director

Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan names Jennifer Byard Clarksville Parks and Recreation Director

Clarksville Parks and Recreation DepartmentClarksville, TN – Jennifer Byard, who has distinguished herself as a leader in positions with several city departments, has been named director of the Clarksville Department of Parks and Recreation, Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan announced Friday.

Byard had been Assistant Director since January 2015 and served as interim director of the department after Director Mark Tummons resigned in July to take a position in Texas.

Clarksville Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Byard
Clarksville Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Byard


“Jennifer is a can-do leader who is dedicated to serving Clarksville’s residents with high-quality parks and innovative programming and events,” McMillan said. “She has had an extraordinarily productive career with the city, and has risen through ranks with a combination of dedication, hard work and great ideas. I’m grateful for what she’s accomplished for our city, and I’m sure she’s the right person to lead this important department.”

Byard is a Clarksville native and began working for the city in 1990 as a service clerk with the Clarksville Gas and Water Department.  She worked in several city departments in promotional positions, including Building Maintenance, the Mayor’s office in former administrations, and in the former Roads, Buildings and Grounds Department.

“I knew I was home when I moved to Parks and Recreation in April 2003,” Byard said. “I am very excited for this opportunity to lead the department. We have an amazing staff that works hard to create recreational opportunities for Clarksville and I am proud to be a part of that.”

As parks director, Byard will lead a city department with 80 full-time employees, more than 200 seasonal and part-time positions, and 32 parks and recreational facilities. The department also manages hundreds of games, events and programs each year, ranging from Civil War history sessions at Fort Defiance, to recreational basketball leagues at the city’s community centers, to the two-day RiverFest presentation of music and fun along the Cumberland River.

During her time at Clarksville Parks and Recreation, Byard has achieved certifications as Aquatics Facility Operator, Certified Playground Safety Inspector, International Festivals and Events Executive and Certified Parks and Recreation Professional.  She also has led the department in becoming the first Parks and Recreation Department in Tennessee to achieve the Governor’s Healthy Workplace Certification.

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