KC parks board has a vacancy

The Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners has a new vacancy to be filled after one of its five members took a job in Mayor Sly James’ office.

McClain Bryant, who had served on the park board since 2011, started a new job last week as director of policy in the mayor’s office. She is a lawyer who previously worked in the Kansas City office of Husch Blackwell and is the daughter of former City Councilman Mark Bryant. She replaces David Rowe, who left the mayor’s office for a job with Code for America.

John McGurk, the mayor’s chief of staff, said Friday that City Attorney Bill Geary had advised that once Bryant joined the mayor’s staff she would have to resign from the park board, which is one of the city’s most influential volunteer boards, setting policy and direction for the parks department.

Bryant had been known on the park board as an advocate for activities for young people, and McGurk said the mayor will look to appoint someone who can fill that role again.

The park board is one of the more sought-after appointments. McGurk said that a number of people have expressed interest in the vacancy. But anyone interested in applying can call the mayor’s office, 816-513-6571, or go to the mayor’s website, www.kcmayor.org/the-administration.

This story was originally published September 21, 2014 at 8:34 PM with the headline "KC parks board has a vacancy."