Cedar Rapids seeks new Parks and Recreation director after Hashim Taylor’s departure

CEDAR RAPIDS — The City of Cedar Rapids is searching for its next Parks and Recreation director following the announced departure of its current department lead.

Hashim Taylor will step down from the role Friday after three years at the helm. He heads to his hometown of Alexandria, Virginia, where he will serve as the city’s director of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.

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Taylor in 2022 came to Cedar Rapids from Virginia, where he had worked at several recreation departments across the state to support equitable access to parks and recreation.

As Parks and Recreation director, Taylor oversaw the more than 100 staff members responsible for the operation and management of 4,171 acres of city-owned property that make up the city’s parks, pavilions, pools and other public facilities.

Highlights of his tenure with the city include his contributions to ongoing greenway planning, the relocation and reopening of Riverside Skatepark and his support of the ReLeaf Cedar Rapids initiative to replenish the tree canopy lost during the 2020 derecho.

Per a memo from City Manager Jeff Pomeranz, the search for Taylor’s replacement is already underway. The city published a job posting for the position listing an annual salary range of $118,227 to $165,505, and the application period closes on March 28.

In his memo to city staff, Pomeranz stated he “expects a smooth transition as the department moves forward.” Assistant to the City Manager Amanda Grieder will lead the department on an interim basis until a new director is selected.

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