Walt Bratton - Director of Parks and Recreation
Walt Bratton, Director of the City of Green River, Wyoming, Parks and Recreation Department since 2005, received his education in two distinct arenas: in college, where he excelled at his studies in parks & recreation administration.
Walt Bratton's fascination with the field of parks and recreation began in his childhood, which was spent enjoying the many available parks and recreational areas in his hometown of Grandview, Washington. As Walt Bratton came of age, he began to take a professional interest in those same locales, volunteering with Grandview's Parks and Recreation Department.
A natural athlete, Walt Bratton attended Yakima Valley Community College (Yakima, Washington) on a basketball scholarship. Upon completing his Associate of Arts degree (AA Degree), Walt Bratton transferred to Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation Management. His decision to attend Washington State University hinged on the school's accredited reputation for its Parks and Recreation program, which had been lauded by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and Council on Accreditation (COA).
Walt Bratton graduated from WSU with honors and was awarded a full ride academic scholarship to Arizona State University, where he completed an accredited two-year program in one year, graduating cum laude with his Master's degree in Parks and Recreation Administration.
After earning a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Wichita State University (Wichita, Kansas) Walt Bratton went on to establish a successful career in his chosen profession, but always sought to continue his education in other capacities. Walt Bratton has undergone specialized training in programs such as the Burbank, California-based Performance Based Discipline Workshop. Always looking to give back to the career that has brought him so much personal and professional satisfaction, Walt Bratton teaches courses in the Parks and Recreation curriculum as an Adjunct Professor at various community colleges and universities.