BOISE – Mayor Lauren McLean has selected Sara Arkle to lead the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Arkle is well known to the department and the community having spent the past decade overseeing the city’s park system and leading foothills and open space initiatives.
“Sara’s impact on our parks and open space speaks for itself and sets her apart as a candidate for the position,” said Mayor McLean. “As a Parks and Recreation Superintendent, Sara increased trail connectivity, identified and acquired important open space properties, and nurtured the partnerships necessary to meet our conservation and recreation goals. Her knowledge of our expansive parks and open space portfolio and commitment to high-quality recreational programs for our community makes her the right person for the job, and I look forward to her leadership.”
Arkle began her tenure with the city leading the Foothills and Open Space Division, managing over 5,000 acres of reserves in the Boise Foothills to protect wildlife habitat, clean water and recreational opportunities. In early 2021, Arkle took on the role of Parks Resources Superintendent and currently oversees Community Forestry, Park Operations, Park Facilities, Rights-of-Way, Sports Fields Maintenance, Custodial, planning and Property Management and Project Management teams.
“For the last 10 years I have worked with the incredible team at Boise Parks and Recreation to enhance our community’s best assets, our open spaces, trails, neighborhood parks, recreational facilities and our zoo. I am proud to spend every day doing impactful and amazing work in a complex environment and look forward to leading and empowering the department to meet the challenges of today and those of tomorrow,” said Arkle.
Arkle holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from UC Irvine and a Master of Science in Natural Resources Management from California Polytechnic Institute.
Arkle is expected to be confirmed by City Council during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, and will take over for retiring Director Doug Holloway on November 2, 2025.
All City Council meetings are open to the public and live streamed on the city’s YouTube channel.
