Meet Sue

Sue Black has a life-long love of parks and recreational spaces and enjoys bringing a quality of life to park visitors each year while preserving the legacy of each place she manages. She is also a two-time National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Gold Medal Award winner for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management and lead the first state parks system in the nation to receive CAPRA accreditation (2018).

Many park systems and communities have benefited from her knowledge and expertise in directing and operating parks. The Milwaukee County park system is one of these systems. Sue was appointed Director of Milwaukee County Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture in 2003. She managed the 15,000+ acres that make up over 150 parks and parkways known as “The Emerald Necklace.” Under her leadership, the vast county park system flourished, offering diverse, year-round activities and recreational programs.

For six years, the Wisconsin State Park System also thrived. During that time, three new state parks were established along with the largest trail-acquisition in state history -- placing Wisconsin as the national leader in rail-to-trail miles. Previously, Black also managed Arizona State Parks, the Dane County Parks Department and was the Director of Parks and Recreation for the cities of Portage and Green Lake, Wisconsin.

Her achievements have been recognized time and again over her career. In 2000, the State Park Rangers presented her with the Centennial Badge in recognition of her outstanding support, leadership and dedication to quality programs and emphasis on the customer. Three park systems under her management have finished as finalists in the National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. Most recently, the Milwaukee County Parks won the Grand Award for the best-managed park system in the country.  In addition, Black was honored by the American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration with the ROSE award, Recognition of Significant Efforts, and was inducted into the prestigious American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.