Joseph Wynns, Director, Department of Parks and Recreation, Indianapolis, Indiana is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) with 30-plus years of urban experience and is currently director of the 12th largest city’s parks and recreation department (Indy Parks). His progressive, advancement career includes recreation center director, community recreation and sports administrator, deputy director, and director in 2000. Under Wynns’ leadership, Indy Parks received its national accreditation in 2003 and re-accreditation in 2008 from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. In 2005, 2006, and 2007, Indy Parks was one of four national finalists for the Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, and in September 2007, Indy Parks hosted the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Congress bringing over 10,000 delegates to Indianapolis.
Wynns is currently serving his second term on NRPA’s Board of Trustees. He is a member and Past President of the Board of Directors of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and Chair of the Urban Park and Recreation Alliance, a coalition of urban park and recreation directors from the largest 50 cities throughout the United States. Presently, Wynns serves on The National Forum on Children and Nature through The Conservation Fund; this groundbreaking effort focuses on reconnecting children with nature and the critical issues of children’s health and environmental stewardship through grant opportunities.
Wynns is a member of the Indiana Park and Recreation Association and serves on the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Dean’s Associates of Indiana University (IU). Wynns is a former member of the Board of Trustees for IU’s Executive Development Program and returns annually as an instructor.
In Indianapolis, Wynns contributes his talents on the Human Services Committee of the United Way of Central Indiana, in addition to providing his expertise on the Coca-Cola Circle City Classic Executive Committee and the Indiana Sports Corporation Youth Committee. In 2006, Wynns received the prestigious Rev. Charles Williams Award presented by the Indiana Sports Corporation and Indiana Black Expo for his outstanding service to youth.
Wynns received his Masters in Recreation Administration from Indiana State University and his Bachelors in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from South Carolina State University, where he was inducted into the South Carolina State University Athletics Hall of Fame. Wynns also has a Certificate in Public Management from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs