Woods elevated to city's Parks Commissioner

Ryan T. Woods

Dorchester's Ryan T. Woods has been promoted to the role of Commissioner of Boston Parks and Recreation by Mayor Martin J. Walsh. Woods has served in the department since 2007 and replaces former Parks Commissioner Christopher Cook, who joined Walsh's cabinet last year as Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space.

"Boston is a great parks city, and Ryan brings a wealth of internal and external experience to the role of Parks Commissioner," Mayor Walsh said in a statement issued on July 5. "I am confident he is the right person to build on the department's mission of access, equity, and excellence, and look forward to his continuing leadership."

"I am very grateful for this opportunity to continue to work with the men and women of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department to create fun, safe and well maintained open spaces for Boston's residents and visitors to enjoy," said Woods.

During his tenure with the Boston Parks and Recreation department, Woods has held roles as the Public-Private Partnerships Coordinator, Program Manager, and Director of External Affairs. Recently, Woods served as Deputy Commissioner where he oversaw more than 800 free annual programs for residents, department communications, and parks operations.

A graduate of St. Michael's College, Woods also holds a Master Degree in Public Administration from Suffolk University. He is a lifelong resident of Dorchester, where he lives with his wife Lauren, a Boston Police Officer, and their two boys.


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