Interim Director Eldridge was not chosen by commissioners

By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news

Ashland Parks & Recreation Commissioners intend to announce a new, permanent hire for the director position at their business meeting Wednesday, according to sources with knowledge of the hiring process who spoke ahead of a public announcement on the condition they be anonymous. The announcement of a new director was not listed on the agenda for the Wednesday, June 12, meeting as posted on the city website Monday.

Interim Director Leslie Eldridge applied and was interviewed but not chosen for the permanent director position, sources said. Eldridge served as an APRC commissioner from 2020 to 2023. After the resignation of the previous director in July 2023 she accepted the request from her fellow commissioners to step into the role. 

In an email, Ashland Human Resources Director Molly Taylor stated APRC received 19 applicants for the director position, selecting six for an initial round of interviews. Three applicants were brought back for a second interview. Parks Commissioners held the interviews in executive sessions and made the final determination to file the role, Taylor said. 

In a text, APRC Commissioner Rick Landt declined to comment on the director position until after the formal announcement but confirmed the announcement will take place Wednesday. An email to all commissioners requesting more information was not immediately answered. 

“We are adding an agenda item because we got some news from our HR department after we published the agenda. We will have an update,” said Commission Chair Jim Bachman. 

Reached by phone and email, Eldridge expressed regret to leave APRC and pride in the projects she has completed in concert with staff. 

“I was more than willing to continue in the position, I was disappointed that I was not selected by commissioners. I am really proud of the work we’ve done,” she said. 

Asked to share highlights from her tenure, Eldridge pointed first to an emphasis on increasing employee morale, safety and training opportunities. She oversaw the hiring of eight vacant positions including the new parks superintendent and the majority of the APRC administrative staff. She created “lunch with Leslie,” and other events to increase cooperation and communication between the director’s office, supervisors and staff. 

She also oversaw the approval of the first update to the Parks Master Plan in 20 years and two ordinances approved by Ashland City Council — the limited allowance of alcohol in parks to encourage events and a curfew in parks to reduce vandalism and crime. 

To expand on events in parks, Eldridge helped create free monthly events in the Japanese Gardens and a new “Summer Sounds,” concert series at the Lithia Bandshell, she said. 

Eldridge oversaw increased environmental stewardship including a new Salmon Safe Certification and a switch to smart irrigation in a majority of parks. She was also proud of two grant applications — one to rehabilitate the Hunter Park Tennis Courts and one to fund phase one of the planned East Main Park. APRC is still waiting to hear if it will be awarded the grants. She said she was “crossing her fingers” to see rehabilitation of the tennis courts and the East Main Park’s planned pump track become a resource for youth mountain bikers. She also appreciated strides made to increase trail connectivity while retaining sustainable recreation practices. 

“I have such a deep respect for APRC staff and the pride they put into their work for this community.  They are  such a dedicated and skilled group of people. I will miss working with this team, but am looking forward to returning to SOU and spending more time with family,” she said.

Commissioners announced the search for a new APRC director during a March 6 business meeting. The timeline included in meeting materials anticipated filling the director position by April, according to previous reporting by Ashland.news. 

According to salary information available on the city of Ashland’s website, the APRC director begins at step 0, $109,594 annually for the first six months and, after 12 months, moves to step 1, $115.073. 

Black started in August 2014 and left in July 2023, becoming community development director in Moab, Utah, in August 2023. According to the Ashland Parks department’s 2022-23 salary schedule as of June 2023, Black could earn up to $156,000 annually in Ashland.

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected].