From Woodlands Township lifeguard to Parks & Rec Director, John McGowan is living the dream

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- This past spring, while watching one of my nephews soccer games at Falconwing Park, I overheard a few grandparents talking about how the kids of today get to play on such nice turf fields. It was your typical grandfather-speak conversation, as in when I was a kid a loaf of bread was five cents, my family was so poor we lived in a shoe, etc…

The conversation then turned to whether the Woodlands Township Parks & Recreation Director position was a glorified title or if the person in charge actually works for a living.

I almost walked over there to tell them what for because I know the previous P&R director, Chris Nunes (a legend) and all that goes into the position. But, I took the high road and decided that educating everyone in the community as to the totality of the P&R position would be the professional thing to do.

So, without any further ado, in a nutshell here is the Woodlands Township description of the P&R Director position…

“The Director of Parks and Recreation for The Woodlands Township leads one of the community's largest departments, focusing on long-term strategy, staff development, and the growth of local recreational offerings.

Core Responsibilities

• Asset Oversight: Manages over 150 parks, 14 swimming pools and aquatic facilities, more than 220 miles of hike-and-bike pathways, and hundreds of miles of landscaped streetscapes.
• Department Divisions: Directs multiple operational divisions, which typically include park maintenance and operations, recreation programming, aquatics, environmental services, special events, forestry, and planning/capital improvement projects.
• Budget and Administration: Prepares and administers multi-million-dollar operational and capital improvement budgets, overseeing full-time and seasonal staff allocations.
• Strategic Planning: Collaborates with township executive leadership and the Board of Directors to implement policies, establish long-range recreational goals, and develop public facilities.”

Let’s get to know the current P&R director, the very popular John McGowan in this week’s Woodlands Online Q&A:

How long have you been the Woodlands Township Park & Recreation Director?

• Just over four years.

What motivated you to get into P&R?

• I became a lifeguard at 15 and have progressed through different positions in the parks and recreation field.

Was P&R your major in college? What college?

• No. My undergraduate degree is a B.S. in Geosciences from Texas Tech University; my graduate degree is an M.B.A. from Sam Houston State University.

You have many duties as described in the introduction. Can you describe what the most challenging part of your job is?

• One of the most challenging things is to make sure you are up to date with the newest trends and amenities in the parks and recreation world. Making sure the programs change with the wants and needs of the residents.

Being the P&R Director of one of the leading master planned communities in the nation, you welcome ideas and suggestions from people in the community. For those who do not know how they can send in feedback and suggestions, what is the proper forum to do this?

People are always free to email and call me or one of our two Assistant Directors. On our website there is a place to send inquiries which would get routed to the right person. Many people also comment to our social media posts.

What are three things people don’t know about you?

I have lived in the Woodlands altogether for 30 years. I have been teaching lifeguards for 31 years. And I have done over 100 races (running and triathlons).

Describe what a typical workday is like for you…

It begins with answering emails. Then to meet with staff to make sure that they are all good and if they need anything. With 150 parks and 14 swimming pools I try to get out to inspect and make sure they are presentable to the public. There are several larger projects that I meet contractors on and make sure the plans are being followed. Mainly making sure that I am there if staff need any assistance or help.

Can you tell us a little bit about your history in The Woodlands and your family?

I have been working all together at the Township for 27 years. I met my wife while lifeguarding at the pools. She has lived here most of her life and is a 8th grade teacher at McCullough Jr. High. I have two boys which have grown up here in the Woodlands and have used the amenities and programs that we offer.

You’ve got to love John McGowan’s story. In regard to P&R, he went from the bottom of the food chain to the top of the food chain. It’s one of those things you couldn’t make up. I can envision a conversation between himself and a fellow lifeguard years ago.

“Hey John…what do you think you’ll be doing in 25-30 years?”
I’m going to be the Park & Rec Director for The Woodlands Township?
“Uh huh yeah sure. In your dreams, Pal!”

I think it’s safe to say that John McGowan is indeed living the dream.

The only goal left for him now is winning the Woodlands Ironman Triathlon. Wait…he might’ve won his age division already.

See you at a turf field near you!

Check out this video of John here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WrFMzQVaVo.

Comments to Doug Sarant at dsarant50@gmail.com