Palmiscno to leave GF Parks after 47 years

A 47 year career with the Grand Forks Park District will come to an end Friday with the retirement of Executive Director Bill Palmiscno.

Palmiscno has played a number of roles within the department since being hired in 1973 as Arena Director. He assumed the leadership job in 2013.

Palmiscno says the Park District has grown in size and mission over the past four decades. He says one of the biggest additions was the opening of Choice Health and Fitness. He says another change has been the transition from the Park District running programs to associations running programs. “We’re just a mainstay of getting diamonds ready and getting fields in place.”

Palmiscno says he’s also proud of the relationship that has been built with the school district over the years. “The school / park concept that we have throughout the city where we have a park and share facilities so we save taxpayer dollars. We’re not building our own gyms where they have them and have rinks and playgrounds. I think the school / park is kind of a hidden gem in the community.”

Palmiscno says when he first joined the Park District there were three main parks and a handful of smaller ones. He says that number has grown to over 40 and counting.

Superintendent of Finance George Hellyer will assume the role of Executive Director starting next week.