The City of Billings is excited to announce Mike Pigg as its new director of Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.
Pigg moves to the position from his role as Parks Supervisor and takes over following the retirement of Mike Whitaker who directed the department for 17 years.
“I love parks and recreation. I spent these last 10 years getting to know our parks and their users. I’ve always been one who likes to work outside in that recreational field where people are coming to utilize the facilities I’m maintaining. I really enjoy that,” Pigg said. 
Mike competed against more than 30 applicants, six semi-finalists and three finalists for the position.
“We received a lot of positive feedback from user groups and people in the community who have worked with Mike over the years. They said he has a can-do attitude, figures out how to get to yes, and works with people to make things happen. They also had a lot of compliments on the quality of the maintenance of our parks. That’s the area he’s been responsible for leading, and I think he’s done a really nice job building that team,” said City Administrator Chris Kukulski.
Pigg takes over at the peak time of year with summer recreation programs in full swing, pools open, and just this week, launching Rec2U, a free recreation program for kids of any age.
“We’re starting with two parks as a pilot program to see what it takes and what kind of response we get. As we get that response, we’ll see how we can change it, make it what the community is looking for, and start taking it to other parks,” Pigg said.
The program will be every Friday at Hawthorne Park in the Heights from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and at Highland Park on the south side from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
There will be games, activities, arts and crafts, healthy snacks and more.
Rec2U runs from June 16 through August 11 and takes a break on June 30 for the holiday weekend.
While it gives kids an opportunity to be active, healthy, and happy, Pigg is hopeful it will improve public safety.
“I think we play a larger role in the community than we ever really thought we could; getting kids started at the right age, going down the right path, and using public space to get together and enjoy. The impact we make may be 10 years out, but it’s an important impact,” explained Pigg.
Pigg’s love of parks and recreation started in his hometown of Laramie, WY where he worked for the University of Wyoming doing grounds care. He worked for City of Laramie Parks and Recreation, and then went on to study horticulture at Montana State University.
He moved to Billings in 2005 and began working for Billings Parks and Recreation 10 years ago.
When talking about how he knew becoming the director of parks and recreation was for him, he credits his staff.
“These folks are dedicated and very professional. I thought to myself, if can work with that staff, I can develop something special. They’re such a good, strong group, I knew it was time.”