Green River, Wyoming, is an oasis in an otherwise arid high desert plateau. Walt Bratton, Director of Green River’s Parks and Recreation Department, manages the town of 13,000 residents public parks, recreation and community services department which is enjoyed year-round by locals and tourists alike. The Green River, which the town is named after, winds through the center of the community. In addition to excellent trout fishing that is accessible from Green River’s banks, Walt Bratton acts as the steward for more than 800 acres of parkland. Managing and maintaining Green River’s numerous hiking and bicycle trails, Walt Bratton oversees the town’s sports facilities and rodeo arena. An outdoor enthusiast since childhood, Walt Bratton has been an exemplary leader in the Parks and Recreation administrative field, continually earning recognition for his work in Green River.As the Director of the town’s parks and recreation facilities since 2005, Walt Bratton has established Green River as an example for other Parks and Recreation departments nationwide. In 2009, Walt Bratton received the Platinum Award for Excellence in Safety from the City of Green River. That same year, Walt Bratton led the Greenbelt Task Force to receive the “Organization of the Year” award from the Wyoming Recreation & Parks Association. Additionally, Walt Bratton was instrumental in leading the City of Green River Parks & Recreation Department to earn national distinction as a “Playful City USA” for the second year in a row from the KaBOOM! Playground Corporation.