Wiggins Retiring From PARA After Nearly Three Decades

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority is wishing a dedicated and longtime employee a happy retirement after 27 years of hard work and community involvement.

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Originally from Atlanta and a 1979 graduate of the University of Georgia, Erin Wiggins first became involved with PARA in 1995 as a volunteer on a playground project at Myrtlewood Elementary School.

She would go on to climb the ladder over the last three decades to most recently serve as past nine years as PARA's director of Planning & Community Development and its Assistant Director.

Her last day on the job was Tuesday, May 10.

"I fell into a job through a passion for helping the community that turned into a career that I love," she told Patch on Thursday. "PARA contributes to the community far more than most people realize. I am very fortunate to have been given this opportunity."

Wiggins became a part-time employee at PARA in 1999 and would go on to work in every PARA department, in addition to working as the manager of the Belk Center and as its development manager positions.

PARA also praised Wiggins for how much of her career was spent working closely with the District Development Program, where she assisted local sports associations and schools in improving their sports complexes and playgrounds. Among these efforts are little leagues in Cottondale, Duncanville, Northside, Taylorville, along with Kentuck Baseball, and Vance, Coaling, and Brookwood parks.

PARA said of her contributions:

"Erin’s dedication to recreation planning and her extensive knowledge of trails, development, maintenance, and so much more, has extended into countless projects; including, the Sokol Park Pump Track, Queen City National Recreation Trail (National Recreational Trail status), Munny Sokol Park Mountain Bike Trail System (National Recreational Trail status), Faucett Brothers Park Multi-Use Trail, composting restrooms at Hurricane Creek Park and Binion Creek Boat Landing, and solar security lighting at the entrance to Sokol Park, Hurricane Creek Park, and Northside Park, just to name a few."

Possessing a love of the outdoors and hiking, Wiggins was presented the 2013 Trail Worker Award for her efforts by American Trails. A resident of Fosters, she also ran for the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education in District 5 in 2010.

What's more, Wiggins is credited with heading up the PARA Trail Equipment Bank and working closely with the Will May Foundation for the creation of the Will May Dog Park.

In working with the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors, she was also an integral part of launching Bark In The Park — an annual event that funds for the park's maintenance.

"Her efforts have undoubtedly touched thousands of lives across Tuscaloosa County and beyond," PARA said on Wednesday. "We thank her for her 27 years of dedicated service and for always going above and beyond for the citizens of our community.

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