After months of searching, reviewing resumes, and conducting interviews, a new Greencastle Parks and Recreation director, Greg Ruark, was chosen with a unanimous vote from the parks board.

Ruark is taking the place left by Rod Weinschenk who resigned after 20 years of service.

Greencastle Mayor Bill Dory introduced Greg Ruark, stating Ruark “brings a wide range of skills to the table.”

Ruark graduated and earned his master’s degree from DePauw University and has a background in soccer. He was often found working with DePauw’s long time coaches, Page Cotton and Brad Hauter. Ruark has background as the superintendent for the Terre Haute Parks department, stating it was the best four years of his life.

“This is a really, really exciting time for me,” Ruark said. “I love parks and recreation. I think I really knew that before I became a parks director in 2004. Those are four of the best professional years of my life.”

Currently, Ruark lives in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with his wife, Jody, and their children. He briefly coached girls’ soccer at Ripon College, before becoming a part-time soccer coach and substitute teacher, his current position in Oshkosh.

Ruark is not a common name around the world, but in Putnam County it is quite familiar. The Ruark families are lifelong residents, including his grandmother who ran the Ruark Nursing Home in Fillmore.

Ruark said he wants to hit the ground running. He plans on evaluating the Parks and Recreation department plans, routines, events, and employees, getting to know what works and what doesn’t. He wants to “enhance what is already provided.” He also stated his goal was to get more people to enjoy the parks so that even more people would want to visit the parks.

Ruark will be staying with family in Fillmore during his move to Greencastle.