Leadership changes are underway at Tulsa Parks, with its director Anna America shifting roles and the appointment of a new board member.
In an Aug. 24 email to staff, America said she would be stepping away as director of the Parks, Culture and Recreation Department to concentrate efforts as the Deputy City Administrator for Parks and Public Facilities — a role created by Mayor Monroe Nichols two months into his term as an unclassified, appointed position reporting to City Administrator Mike Miller.
City spokesperson Carson Colvin confirmed the change, adding: “She’s not stepping down or leaving — just reassigning her time for the interim to focus on large-scale projects.”
America has been the Parks Department director since 2018 after an appointment from former Mayor G.T. Bynum. The pair served on City Council together.
In the email, America states her resignation won’t “change much day-to-day for how Parks will operate.” Her role will continue oversight of the Gilcrease Museum, BOK Arena, Cox Convention Center, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, BMX Tulsa, Tulsa River Parks, Visit Tulsa and the City Architectural Building Services.
“Because we know some of the projects I am working on will require an even bigger time commitment over at least the next few months, the Mayor has assigned me indefinitely to work full-time on the (deputy chief administrator) projects,” America wrote.
The email states Nichols will appoint Stacie Martin, who has been serving as the Tulsa Parks deputy director for four years, to lead the department.
Earlier this month, parks board member Shane Fernandez finished his four-year term, and Nichols appointed Omare Jimmerson. Council approved her appointment on Aug. 5. Jimmerson is the executive director of the Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative and previously served as the deputy director of the parks department from November 2021 to September 2022.
These changes come after an anonymous group calling themselves “Concerned Tulsa Taxpayers” filed an Aug. 5 complaint with allegations that the parks board failed to formally adopt and publish its bylaws and rules of conduct.
Colvin said there is no connection between the complaint and America’s shifting role.
Faith Harl is a Tulsa Documenter and freelance contributor to the Tulsa Flyer.
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