MARYSVILLE – Tara Mizell, a city parks employee since 1994, has been promoted to director of Parks, Culture and Recreation, replacing the retiring Jim Ballew.

Mizell has held increasingly responsible positions there, serving most recently as assistant parks director.

Programs she will be leading the way soon include the upgrade of Cedar Fields, development of Olympic View Park in the Sunnyside area, the connection of Bayview Trail to Centennial Trail, and planning for a future park at Mother Nature’s Window.

Mizell, who served as community recovery director after the Marysville school shooting in 2014, was honored with the American Red Cross Humanitarian Spirit Award for her efforts. She is former chairwoman of the Marysville Community Coalition (Marysville Together). She is a former board member of the Marysville Food Bank, where she helped lead the annual holiday toy store that provides coats, books and gifts to more than 1,000 local families in need.

Mizell earned a bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation Administration from Central Washington University.

Also promoted to assistant parks director is Dave Hall, the department’s athletic supervisor since 2006.