News & Announcements

Greg Bagley, Oxford Parks and Recreation Department, will celebrate a 38-year career this week as he retires from the department with which he began by driving a tractor.

“I needed a job in 1987,” Bagley recalled. “I went to Mayor [Leon] Smith, and he said to be out there at seven o’clock the next morning and they’d put me on a tractor.”

The position of athletic director has put Bagley in charge of all the sports PARD has to offer, from softball to pickleball.

“We have many great features at the Civic Center and Chocoolocco Park,” Bagley said. “We are now at a point where quality games are being played at both venues. We need to do our due diligence because everyone notices what we’re doing and wants to do the same. I’m proud to say our city has achieved this with support from the mayor and city council.”

“I love sports, and I love the relationships with the people,” he said. “I grew up here and have built a lot of those relationships. And, I love getting to know those people who come from out of town.”

He recalls one person whose business was one of the first contributors to the Choccolocco Park project.

“I asked him what we could do for him,” Bagley said. “He told me he and his wife would like tickets to watch tournament games. We’ve kept our word on that ever since the park opened.”

He emotionally recalls loyalty and appreciation that were sent his way during a recent health scare.

“Two years ago, I had cancer,” Bagley said. “That’s the hardest thing I’ve dealt with since I’ve been here. [PARD director] Don [Hudson] and the mayor [Alton Craft] have been very gracious and very kind. You can go to any city around, and you can’t find that. Without that, I’d probably be home right now struggling. I’ll always be grateful.”

Bagley is humble about the position he has held as he notes there are “an awful lot of good people who do the day-to-day stuff. I’m just sort of the organizer.”

“Our staff has to love what they do,” he said. “They take a lot of pride in their work. If you pass one walking in or out, you will see a smile on their face as they greet people. They are great ambassadors for this city.”

Bagley said everyone comes to a point in their lives when they know “it’s time.”

He will hand in his Civic Center keys to spend more time with the person he calls “my rock,” Sharon, his wife of 43 years, a daughter, and two grandchildren.

“I’m not retiring, I’m just going into the grandpa business more frequently,” he said.

“People need to slow down, look around, and be grateful for what we have here,” Bagley said. “It has taken time, hard work, and dedication on everyone’s part. I’m proud to have been a part of it.”