After 33 years with the park district, 17 as director-secretary, Shy has announced his retirement, effective May 31, 2015.
Commissioners for Summit Metro Parks will begin searching for the park district’s next director-secretary after Keith D. Shy advised them late last month of his intent to retire May 31.
Shy is just the sixth director-secretary in the organization’s 94-year history, and during his tenure the district nearly doubled in size to 13,000 acres.
Shy was promoted to his current position in 1998 following roles with Summit Metro Parks that included assistant superintendent of operations and superintendent of operations, beginning in 1982. His park career began in 1971 as an assistant park manager with the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. He has 44 years of public service.
The Summit Metro Parks Board of Park Commissioners publicly announced Shy’s resignation during its March 10 meeting. Jane Bond, board chair, said it was accepted “with respect and regret.”
A public send-off for Shy is planned for Thursday, May 28, at 7 p.m., in the visitors center at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm.
Additions to the park district since 1998 include Liberty Park in Twinsburg, Springfield Bog Metro Park in Springfield Township, the Tallmadge Meadows Area in Munroe Falls Metro Park in Tallmadge, and the Overlook Trail in Cascade Valley Metro Park in Akron. Soon the district will open Wood Hollow Metro Park — its 15th natural-area park and its first in Hudson — near the corner of Barlow and Stow roads, and a 3,000-square-foot nature center in Liberty Park.
Shy has embraced partnerships with municipalities, neighboring park districts, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and others. Summit County’s 2012 completion of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is an example of this collaborative effort, with Summit Metro Parks now managing a little more than half of the hike-and-bike path in the county.
A father of two adult daughters and grandfather of four young girls, Shy said he plans to travel with his wife, Barbara, and spend more time with family.