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Muncie parks superintendent appoints Kelly McClendon as working foreman; HR to finalize role
Summary
The Muncie Park and Recreation Board introduced Kelly McClendon as the department's new working foreman. Superintendent Carl Malott said the hire aligns with the department's five-year plan; HR is drafting a clear job description and staff will monitor how the role is deployed between city parks and Prairie Creek.
The Muncie Park and Recreation Board on Jan. 21 introduced Kelly McClendon as the parks system's new working foreman, a position Superintendent Carl Malott said has been in the department's five-year plan and will take on day-to-day supervisory duties in both city parks and at Prairie Creek.
Why it matters: Board members said the dedicated working foreman role is intended to restore supervisory capacity the department has lacked and to free other staff to focus on programming, maintenance and capital projects.
Malott described the hire as a step to improve on-site supervision and to provide a single point of contact for field maintenance. "The 5-year plan has always called for a working foreman to be in place," Malott said. He added that the mayor supports the position.
Kelly McClendon, who previously worked in city operations, said she has already begun meeting staff and learning site needs. "I'm excited about this new job," McClendon said at the meeting.
Board members emphasized that a clear job description and communication plan will be critical to avoid role confusion. One board member noted HR is working to clarify duties and limits of the working foreman role so the new hire is not assigned tasks outside a defined scope.
Staff said the working foreman will help coordinate maintenance and operations at Prairie Creek and within the city's parks system. The position will not yet be assigned a fixed in-office schedule; hours on-site will vary by season and operational needs. Superintendent Malott said staffing adjustments remain under review; he and HR will track workload and report back to the board about whether additional positions or an assistant are needed.
No formal board vote was required at the meeting; HR is finalizing the job description and the department will monitor how the role functions during the coming spring and summer seasons.
