Thank you, Jayne Miller
On behalf of our entire community, World Urban Parks would like to express our deepest gratitude to Jayne Miller for her extraordinary service to the organization over the past six years as Chair of the Board.
Jayne’s leadership has been nothing short of exceptional, marked by her unwavering commitment to excellence, tireless dedication, and her remarkable ability to guide us through challenging times.
Over her many years of service in the parks and recreation field, Jayne has risen to the highest levels of leadership, earning the admiration and respect of her peers and colleagues around the world. Her transformational and uplifting leadership style has been an inspiration to all, and there are no words that can fully capture the magnitude of her contributions.
Jayne has been the right leader at the right time, steering World Urban Parks through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic and helping to pave a stronger path forward.
As she transitions into the role of Past Chair, we are fortunate to have Jayne remain on the Board for another year. Her continued presence will undoubtedly be invaluable as we move forward.
A new Chapter in Leadership
World Urban Parks Welcomes Tim Geyer as Our New Chair of the Board World Urban Parks is thrilled to announce Tim Geyer as our new Chair of the Board.
With over 45 years of experience in local government in Australia, Tim has led the strategic, financial, and operational management of parks, urban landscapes, and recreational services. His expertise spans areas such as
park management, sports facilities, bushland and tree management, heritage preservation, and the revitalization of urban spaces. Tim holds a degree in Urban Horticulture and is a Certified International Parks Professional. Within World Urban Parks, he has served as Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee for Older Adults in Parks, a Juror for the Large Urban Parks Awards, and Co-Chair of the Asia Pacific Region, as well as Deputy Chair.
“It is a great honor to be chosen by the WUP Board to take on the role of Chair. We have much to do and I look forward to working with the wider Urban Parks community to achieve our goals. On behalf of the board, I wish to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Jayne Miller over the past 6 years.”
As Chair, Tim is committed to championing innovative park management, influencing policy changes, and increasing global engagement with urban parks. We are excited to welcome Tim to this leadership role and look forward to his vision shaping the future of our organization.
New Deputy Chair
World Urban Parks Welcomes Mark Bowater as Deputy Chair of the Board
World Urban Parks is delighted to welcome Mark Bowater as our new Deputy Chair. With a distinguished career in the parks, sport, and recreation industry, Mark brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for community development, sustainability, and urban livability.
His extensive background in local government, combined with a proven track record of impactful projects, positions him as an outstanding leader within our organization.
Mark is deeply committed to the sustainable development of recreational infrastructure and the stewardship of natural environments, recognizing their vital role in enhancing the quality of life in urban areas. As a leader, he takes pride in mentoring others and fostering professional growth across the industry.
Mark’s contributions to the field are widely recognized. He has been an active member of Recreation Aotearoa for over 20 years, serving as Board Director and Chair, and holds credentials as an Accredited Recreation Professional (ARPro), Infrastructure Sustainability Accredited Professional (ISAP), and Certified Parks Professional – International (CPP-I). Within World Urban Parks, he has served as a Board Member, co-chair of the Asia-Pacific Region Committee, and a member of the Healthy Parks Healthy Cities Committee.
His dedication has earned him prestigious honors, including the NZRA Fellow Award in 2018 and the Recreation Aotearoa Ian Galloway Memorial Cup in 2019, recognizing his sustained and outstanding contributions to the parks and recreation industry.
We are excited to have Mark Bowater step into this important leadership role and look forward to the positive impact of his vision, expertise, and dedication on the future of World Urban Parks.
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