Nick Walker is a Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) with more than two decades of leadership experience in public service, strategic planning, and communityengagement. He currently serves as Director of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he oversees one of the largest and most dynamic park systems in the Southeast. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreati on (MCPRD) serves as the official parks and recreation department for both Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte.
Prior to his role in Mecklenburg County, Nick served as Director of Memphis Parks, where he led capital planning, communications, and operations for a system undergoing significant revitalization. His work has consistently focused on expanding equitable access to recreation, stewarding public spaces, and aligning departmental goals with community needs. During his time there, Nick oversaw the department's first master plan in more than 20 years and helped the department achieve its first CAPRA accreditation.
Nick's career is marked by a commitment to innovation and collaboration. He has spearheaded initiatives that integrate data-driven decision-making with inclusivestorytelling, drawing on his background in journalism and information quality. He is known for translating complex policy into accessible language and fostering partnerships across government, nonprofit, and grassroots sectors.
Nick holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Henderson State University, a master's degree in information quality from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a 2023 graduate of NRPA's Directors School. He is an active member of NRPA and a frequent contributor to national conversations on urban parks, capital investment, and civic engagement.