New Parks & Recreation Director Gets Started in Corvallis

September 9, 2026 - The City of Corvallis is welcoming Andy Coleman as its next Parks & Recreation Director, where he will oversee the city department that provides popular livability services for the Corvallis community.

Coleman will begin work on September 16. The announcement caps off a nationwide recruitment effort that the City undertook following the departure of the previous director.

Coleman made his mark in Walla Walla, Washington, where he has worked since 1999. Coleman moved up through the ranks in Walla Walla, serving as Recreation Supervisor and Park Maintenance Supervisor before eventually rising to the position of Parks & Recreation Director. In this role, he managed all aspects of the department’s work, including the construction of a new $8.5 million aquatics facility and programming that supported the community’s downtown district.

“Corvallis a fantastic fit for me, both in terms of the community’s engagement with parks and recreation services, as well as the opportunity to lead a dynamic department full of dedicated staff,” Coleman said.

As the Parks & Recreation Director, Coleman will provide leadership to a department with about 40 full-time employees and several hundred casual/seasonal employees. The parks division manages more than 2,000 acres of parks, playgrounds, playing fields, trails, and open spaces. The recreation division is responsible for three recreation centers which provide a diverse array of programs to the Corvallis community.

“I’m excited to welcome Andy to Corvallis and support him as he steps into the leadership role for the Parks & Recreation Department,” said City Manager Mark Shepard. “We have an incredible team of staff, along with beloved facilities and natural resources, and I’m sure Andy will feel right at home working for the Corvallis community.”