Watertown Parks and Recreation Director Dusty Rodiek Announces Retirement
- Steve Jurrens
- May 18
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Director Dusty Rodiek will officially retire at the end of June 2026, marking the conclusion of an impactful municipal career dedicated to enhancing Watertown’s public spaces and community infrastructure.
The announcement was made by City Manager Alan Stager during his administrative report to the City Council on Monday evening. Addressing city leaders and the public, Stager expressed deep gratitude for Rodiek’s extensive tenure and leadership:
“Finally, I’d like to recognize a member of our team who will be retiring at the end of June. Dusty Rodiek, our Parks and Recreation Director, has announced his retirement and has had many great contributions to the city in his years with us.”
Rodiek’s retirement comes at a busy time for the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department, which has been actively executing long-term infrastructure updates outlined in the city’s Comprehensive Parks Master Plan. Even as he prepares for transition, Rodiek’s ongoing commitment was highly visible across the night’s legislative agenda, which featured several major park initiatives under his direct project oversight.
Among the approved measures was the procurement of a new $199,205.90 playground system at River Ridge Park and a $135,920.29 playground network at Mallard Cove Park —both of which successfully came in under their respective municipal budgets. Additionally, Rodiek was instrumental in finalizing a long-term renewal of the joint Tennis Courts Usage Agreement with the Watertown School District to secure shared maintenance and public access for local courts through 2039.
As the city prepares to say goodbye to one of its most visible public servants, administration officials are looking toward the future. City Manager Stager informed the Council that municipal leadership will “real soon” begin putting measures in place to launch a comprehensive search for Rodiek’s successor.
In the meantime, local residents and colleagues will have ample opportunity to honor the departing director. Stager noted that the city will ensure the community has time before Rodiek’s final day in office to thank him in person for his years of exceptional service to the safety of citizens, the beautification, and the leisure of Watertown.
