2001 Newsroom Archive

Don Murphy Appointed Deputy Director for
National Park Service

Sacramento California, September 26, 2001 - Today the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, Donald W. Murphy, submitted his resignation to the City Manager to take an appointment by President Bush as the new deputy director for the National Park Service. Murphy will assume his new responsibilities by October 2001. As deputy director Murphy will assist in managing 384 national park units covering approximately 84 million acres, more than 23,000 employees, and a total budget of over $2.4 billion.

Murphy has been the director of the Department of Parks and Recreation for the City of Sacramento since June of 2000 where he was responsible for managing the City's park and recreation program. Within the first seven months at the position he completed a three-year strategic plan and established a parks acquisition office. He successfully managed a $36 million budget, worked with the City Council to prioritize park development programs, and managed the City's $54 million capital improvement program for parks, including acquisition and development.

"It is with mixed emotions that I leave the City of Sacramento, but this is a wonderful opportunity for me and my family," said Murphy. "Sacramento is a wonderful City, proud of its many successes, and excited about its future. The Department of Parks and Recreation has a highly capable and professional management team and workforce, and I am confident that the future will only bring continued planned growth and prosperity to the department and city. I want to express my gratitude to the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager for giving me the opportunity to lead the dedicated workforce of the Department of Parks and Recreation."

Deputy City Manager Richard Ramirez will serve as acting department head for parks and recreation. A national search will be conducted to find a replacement.