Chris Weavil, Parks and Recreation Director

Chris Weavil is the director of the Forsyth County Parks & Recreation Department.

The department runs and maintains the County’s parks, which vary greatly in size from the 1,200-acre Tanglewood Park to the 1.5 acre Old U.S. 421 River Park. Tanglewood is the best-known county park, with an aquatics center, horse stables, the Arboretum, golf courses, tennis courts and even a manor house and other accommodations that visitors can stay at. It’s also home to the massive Festival of Lights, a holiday light show that has been named a Top 20 Event in the Southeast and received an honorable mention from America’s Best Online as one of the best lights shows in the country.

A lifelong resident of Forsyth County, parks were a regular influence in his life. Sunday trips to Tanglewood with grandparents were always a treat. Growing up in the eastern part of the county and playing softball at Union Cross Park 2-3 nights a week (or more) for 20+ years was almost a rite of passage.

As a youth he was always outdoors. His desire to be outdoors developed into a love for plants and all things green and growing. This led him into the green industry.

He graduated from Forsyth Technical Community College with a degree in horticulture. He has spent his entire 32-year career working for Forsyth County Parks & Recreation.

In 1991 he was hired as a gardener at Tanglewood Park. In 1996 he became the Maintenance Supervisor for Tanglewood Park. In 2012 he became the Assistant Director for Park Operations and its director in 2023. "The job provides me with new opportunities everyday and to be a good steward of the items entrusted to my care. I have always looked forward to coming to work. I love a challenge. I have had many absolutely wonderful, dedicated professionals that have helped shape my career.

"It is an honor to work for the County. This is a great team with lots of great resources. The Parks staff are a key asset for the department, without their hard work, care and devotion our parks would not be what they are today.

"To use an adage from Mike Anderson, our past director, 'we work when other people play.'"

During his time with the department, he has seen the replacement of many of the structures at Tanglewood that were built in the 1950’s. He has seen the installation and development of nearly 3 miles of paved multi-use surface at Tanglewood, he has overseen the construction and development of the Carolina Field of Honor and the final phase of development at Triad Park. He has also overseen the replacement of 6 accessible playgrounds and their safety surfacing. Construction of the new Belews Lake Park is also currently underway and is expected to open in early 2024.

Managing multiple development projects across the county while providing neat, clean, and well-maintained facilities is definitely a challenge but well worth the effort.

It is his goal to continue to provide extraordinary, safe, and well-maintained. facilities for all who visit Forsyth County parks. This goal would not be possible without the continued positive support from our Commissioners and Managers. We are grateful for their continued support.