Photo by Matt de Simone
By Matt de Simone
When most people think about Parks and Recreation, they picture ballfields, playgrounds, summer camps, and community events.
What they probably don’t picture is Victor Morales reviewing spreadsheets, applying for grants, coordinating projects, or planning improvements that may not be completed for years.
For Morales, director of Botetourt County Parks and Recreation, that’s much of the job.
“A lot of my job is finding resources and being creative to be able to maintain parks,” Morales said. “A lot of my job is making sure that people have access to those places, they know they exist, and that we do programming.”
The role requires balancing a wide range of responsibilities. On any given day, Morales might be discussing a capital project, helping address an issue at a county park, advising a community organization, or working with staff on programming.
“Botetourt County being a rather large land mass with a small population, we kind of have a small staff that does a little bit of everything,” he explained.
The department oversees parks, trails, boat ramps, youth sports leagues, outdoor recreation opportunities, special events, and community programs throughout the county. Much of Morales’ work focuses on ensuring those resources remain accessible and affordable.
His path to the profession was unexpected.
Before college, Morales planned to study psychology. That changed after joining an environmentally focused living-learning community that introduced him to activities such as kayaking, biking, and camping.
“I ended up falling in love with it,” Morales recalled.
A summer job as a zip-line guide in Colorado further cemented his interest. He discovered that outdoor recreation had a unique ability to bring people together regardless of age or background.
“What I love about recreation and what I love about play is that it kind of puts everybody on an equal field,” Morales said. “People go out and enjoy something together, they have a shared experience, and they come out of it stronger.”
One of the biggest surprises after entering public-sector recreation was learning how often projects change course.
“Sometimes there’s a lot of energy toward a project and it happens super-fast,” Morales said. “Sometimes there’s a lot of energy and then something changes, and that project gets put on hold for two years.”
He compared the process to storing leftovers.
“I have things on my plate, it gets put in Tupperware, it gets stuck in the fridge or the freezer, and then I might pull it out in a week. I might pull it out in a year,” Morales said. “There’s just a lot of projects that are constantly living over my head.”
A typical day for Morales and his staff often revolves around numbers.
Morales oversees a departmental budget of roughly $1 million and spends much of his time looking for ways to stretch those dollars further.
“The way I explain it to people is I’m constantly looking for a 10 percent discount on everything,” he said.
That philosophy extends throughout the department. Morales encourages staff to focus not only on cost, but also on long-term value and durability when making purchases.
Beyond budgeting, he fields calls from residents, community groups, and local leaders seeking advice or assistance with recreation-related projects.
“I joke around that I don’t really have any power, but I do have some influence,” Morales said with a laugh.
One misconception he frequently encounters is the belief that Parks and Recreation oversees every athletic field, playground, and recreational facility in the county.
In reality, school facilities fall under the school division, while parks in incorporated towns are managed by those local governments.
“People think that every playground at a school, every athletic facility at a school, that I have control over those things,” Morales explained. “Really, I don’t.”
Another misconception is that his job consists primarily of enjoying outdoor activities.
“People think that I’m just outside hiking all the time or biking all the time,” he said. “But a lot of my job is the logistical side of things so that other people can play without having to think too much about the logistical side of things.”
Behind every new amenity, event, or facility improvement are months, and sometimes years, of planning. Morales pointed to projects such as athletic field lighting, trail improvements, and boat ramp upgrades as examples that require coordination among multiple agencies, contractors, and funding sources.
Even simple details can require considerable thought.
“Sometimes we spend hours contemplating a sentence,” Morales noted. “What will this sign say? How do we word something so everybody can enjoy the park the best that they can?”
One of the department’s biggest challenges is balancing recreational opportunities across a county that stretches from Cloverdale to Eagle Rock and Buchanan.
“The hardest thing is making it where development is happening on an equitable basis,” Morales said.
That can be difficult when residents only see the project currently underway in one area and not the years of planning taking place elsewhere.
“People think in the moment,” he added. “In reality, it’s part of a larger 10- to 15-year master plan.”
For Morales, parks and recreation are about much more than facilities.
“I think it’s the reason to live,” he said.
He described parks as places that preserve green space, provide affordable recreation opportunities, strengthen communities, and create shared experiences. Youth sports help children develop confidence and friendships, while parks provide gathering places where families can connect.
“Some of the few times that you don’t see a kid on the phone is when they’re outside playing,” Morales observed.
Among the most rewarding aspects of the job are watching staff members grow professionally, seeing volunteers discover a passion for coaching, and witnessing families create lasting memories through recreation programs.
He pointed to the department’s recent Company Cup kickball tournament, which brought together local businesses and organizations for a day of friendly competition.
“To see all these people come out there, have fun, laugh together, and high-five each other, it was just so much fun,” Morales said.
Looking ahead, Morales is especially excited about the future of Greenfield Recreation Park.
The county is finalizing a master plan that will guide development of the 133-acre park over the next decade. Planned improvements include additional soccer fields, permanent restroom facilities, pickleball and tennis courts, and eventually a community center and event space.
“Every year there will be something new at Greenfield Recreation Park,” Morales said.
Ultimately, what keeps him motivated is knowing the work directly affects the people around him.
Morales lives in Daleville with his wife and three young children, and he regularly sees local families enjoying the same parks and programs his department helps provide.
“They’re my neighbors,” he said. “To see these families get closer because of the work that we’re trying to do here, it motivates me to show up to work every day happy and excited to be here.”
File photo
