Sulphur Springs’ Maynard ‘a perfect fit’

New Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Maynard should be proud of his work. You’ve probably seen it before or even taken pictures of it, but never realized Maynard and his crew of nine employees were behind the well-landscaped and irrigated outdoor spaces of Sulphur Springs. With Maynard’s long history of being the silent force behind downtown’s quaintness, Maynard said he’s excited and honored to step into a leadership role over Celebration City’s Recreation.

Maynard appears to be the perfect fit for the job, according to City Manager Marc Maxwell. Before joining the public sector, Maynard was the owner of East Texas Landscaping for 18 years. He’s lived all his life in Sulphur Springs, except for three years he spent as a missionary in Costa Rica. Searching for a job that would give him more time with his wife and three daughters, he joined the city’s capital construction division, where he spent nine years doing various tasks the city needed. Maynard found true passion when he helped install the downtown square as part of capital construction in 2012.

Maynard has been a part of the revitalization of downtown areas, including the plaza, from the beginning. He transferred to the parks department, where he could apply his skills from his landscaping business while continuing to care for the downtown area, he said.

“I’m very hands on with projects, whether that’s helping install an irrigation system or mowing the fields,” Maynard said.

That’s what excites him about being the new parks director.

“It’s not a desk management position. I like being involved and making it look nice,” he said.

The crew of nine provides lawn maintenance, landscaping, irrigation and anything else that may need to be done. Their responsible areas include: Coleman Park, Buford Park, Pacific Park, City Hall, the water office, the Senior Citizen’s Center, the library, the airport, as well as green spaces surrounding the downtown square. At nearly 200 acres of property total to maintain, it’s a mammoth task that has Maynard and the crew on a constant rotation of activity, he said.

Not only does the group do regular park duties, but assisting with Celebration City’s events which require their own unique set up. Whether at the downtown square or one of the city’s other public spaces, Maynard and his crew work together with other departments to host professional concert venues, wine tasting festivals and vintage car shows. And when it’s done, they clean it all up and start another day. They always stay in the background and don’t ask for recognition of their efforts.

“It’s just how we prefer it,” Maynard said.

According to Maynard, the work is well worth the endeavor.

“It makes us feel good to see people come enjoy downtown and the parks and comment on how pretty everything is,” he said. “It means a lot to the crew when people compliment us or we see them taking pictures.”

And, said Maynard, he feels blessed to work in a place that values his job so highly.

“People tell us all the time they wish their town had something similar to this. There’s barely a week that goes by where someone doesn’t say, ‘I’m going to tell my city council this is what I want,’” Maynard said.

As new acting parks director, Maynard said he’s looking forward to “continuing the excellence” the city has already started. The city has big plans for their parks, with major improvements coming for Pacific Park and the Senior Citizens Center. Maynard said he is excited and “beyond words” for the future of the City of Sulphur Springs.

Maynard credits the city council and Maxwell for giving the city the vision and opportunity that led to the beauty so many citizens and visitors come to enjoy and compliment.

“They are the reason we get to do what we get to do,” Maynard said.