116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Cedar Rapids names new parks and recreation director
Carrie Mardorf most recently served as Superintendent of a military park in Vicksburg
The Gazette
Jun. 20, 2025 7:02 pm, Updated: Jun. 23, 2025 8:15 am
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Carrie Mardorf — who has served in leadership roles at multiple national park sites — has been named as Cedar Rapids’ next parks director. She’ll begin the role Monday.
In this role, Mardorf will lead the Parks and Recreation Department, overseeing operations including parks, recreation programs, forestry, aquatics, golf, Ushers Ferry Historic Village, ReLeaf, and administration. She will be responsible for guiding strategic initiatives, fostering community engagement, and managing a wide range of programs and facilities that contribute to Cedar Rapids’ high quality of life.
Mardorf comes to Cedar Rapids from Vicksburg, Miss., where she most recently served as Superintendent of Vicksburg National Military Park. She has held several leadership roles within the National Park Service, including at Cane River Creole National Historical Park in Louisiana, Biscayne National Park in Florida, and Kalaupapa National Historical Park in Hawaii.
“Carrie brings a strong track record of building partnerships, enhancing public spaces, and expanding access to recreational and cultural experiences that aligns with our City’s vision for parks and recreation,” said Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said in a statement Friday. “We are excited to welcome her to Cedar Rapids and look forward to the leadership she will bring to the department and city team.”
The city’s parks and recreation department includes about 100 staff members and about 4,171 acres of city-owned property that make up the parks, pavilions, pools and other public facilities.
Mardorf is a native of Hopkinton, a town of about 625 residents in Delaware County. She holds a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Vermont and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University. She participated in the USDA Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program and executive leadership programs at American University and graduated from the Federal Executive Institute in 2023.
“Parks and cultural spaces have always been close to my heart,” Mardorf said in a statement Friday. “They connect us to our history, community, and each other. Cedar Rapids is fortunate to have a talented and dedicated Parks & Recreation team. I look forward to working with them to continue to build welcoming spaces and programs that empower every resident, regardless of background or ability, to connect, grow, and enjoy meaningful, accessible experiences that enrich lives and strengthen community bonds.”
Mardorf replaces Hashim Taylor who stepped down from the role in March after three years at the helm. Taylor returned to his hometown of Alexandria, Virginia, to serve as the city’s director of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.