Department Leadership

W. Lee Jones, Park and Recreation Director

W. Lee Jones Jr. is the director of the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department. He is responsible for managing the overall planning and direction of the administrative and operational activities of the department.                         

He joined the County in 2004 as division director of Park and Recreation’s Capital Planning and Alliance Services. He helped coordinate the planning, design, and construction of many park facilities, including First Ward Park, Romare Bearden Park, and the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews. Lee was promoted to director in 2018. Prior to joining the County, Lee gained architectural experience by serving with several national and international architectural firms. He later served as a facilities planner for Arlington County, VA, where he supervised the design and construction of the Arlington County Justice Center. He also served as deputy director of the Prince George’s County (MD) Department of Environmental Resources.   

Lee holds a Bachelor of Arts in architectural studies from Wesleyan University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Virginia School of Architecture. He is a licensed architect and certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. 

Professional Organizations 

  • National Recreation and Park Association   

  • National and State Chapters of the American Institute of Architects 

  • North Carolina Recreation & Park Association 

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Director Workplan

Strategic Business Plan

Performance Data

Meck Playbook

Accessibility Information

Park and Recreation Commission

Park and Recreation is guided by an advisory board, the Park and Recreation Commission, that makes recommendations to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners and Park and Recreation staff on recreation programming, personnel, budget, land acquisition and long-range planning. 

Park and Recreation Commission meetings are typically held on the second Tuesday of each month. The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend any of these meetings.

  

Park And Recreation Commission Meeting Documents

View agendas, minutes and other meeting materials.

Back Row:Linda DiTroia (N3), Mark Loflin (S2), Larken Egleston (C2), Rufus Kearney (S3), Paul Freestone (Chair and Northern Towns), Kip Kiser (C3).

Front Row:Megan Gregory (At Large), Ann Harrison (N1), Delores C. Sobowale (At Large), Charles Kitchen (S1)

 

Advisory Council

Additionally, the Park and Recreation Commission has 10 Advisory Councils specializing in specific park and recreation topics that meet monthly.

Apply Online To Join An Advisory Council

Advisory Council List and Staff Contacts

  • Athletics Advisory Council, Staff Contact: Ashton Counts

  • Aquatic Advisory Council, Staff Contact: Genni Reel

  • Central Park Region Advisory Council, Staff Contact: Bryan Joyner

  • Cooperative Extension Advisory Council, Staff Contact: Vacant

  • Golf Advisory Council, Staff Contact: Preston Buckman