Robert Griffith

Throughout his life, Bob Griffith has been a leader in the recreation and park field, a tireless advocate for funding for state parks and conservation initiatives, and has served on numerous advisory and planning groups in support of recreation and conservation. Bob’s 33 years at the helm of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS) as the organization’s first full-time executive director made a significant impact on the Commonwealth.

During his tenure at PRPS, he established the organization’s first permanent office in State College. From there he managed an association of more than 1,600 members who provide recreation and park programs and services to all citizens of Pennsylvania. He and his staff worked closely with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and other government agencies to improve the quality and number of recreational facilities, including a move toward more green and sustainably-designed and maintained parks.

Bob worked with legislators to craft the original Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund (Key 93), which provided funding to build new parks and conserve natural resources. He was also very active in getting Growing Greener I and II passed, which continued the funding legacy of Key 93. On the federal side, he was a strong advocate for the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which provides needed funds for state parks, state forests, and communities throughout the Commonwealth. Through all these efforts, recreation and conservation opportunities grew significantly.

In 2010, Bob retired from PRPS, but that doesn’t mean he has stopped caring about outdoor recreation. In addition to staying connected to his PRPS friends as the organization’s “Historical” ex-officio board member, Bob enjoys fishing, taking his grandkids out on his boat, and volunteering with youth programs, among other activities.  Bob, a founding member of the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation, was a recipient of their Keystone Legacy Award in 2011.