Kirk Franz has been named the new director of Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, replacing former director Jim Pryor and interim director Laura Pate.
Franz has over 30 years of parks and recreation experience, having previously served in the Alpharetta and Johns Creek areas.
“Parks and Recreation plays a vital role in creating a vibrant and healthy community,” said Assistant County Manager Tony Tarnacki. “Laura Pate has served excellently in the interim director role, and we are excited to welcome Kirk Franz to Forsyth County as his many years of experience will serve him well in continuing the County’s dedication to providing the community with safe, clean and inclusive parks and recreation opportunities.”
Franz helped establish Johns Creek's first Recreation & Parks Division in 2007, working for almost 20 years as recreation manager. He managed eight city parks, the city's first Adult Activity Center and implemented new special events to serve over 17,000 city participants.
He also worked in Alpharetta as programs director and executive director of Newtown Recreation, Inc., where he developed and supervised recreational programs for citizens of north Fulton County.
Franz is a certified park & recreation professional, a member of the Georgia Recreation & Parks Association and the National Recreation & Parks Association, and he is the current vice commissioner for GRPA District 7.
In 2020, Franz received the GRPA District 7 Administrator of the Year Award, and Johns Creek Parks & Recreation received the GRPA Agency of the Year Award.
He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Kansas State University.
He will take up the role in Forsyth County later in May.
