Bill Greenwood smiled as he looked at the crowd of about 75 people gathered for his retirement party Friday afternoon. 

“I didn’t think anyone was going to show up,” he said. 

But show up they did in the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Community Room to praise the retiring Coeur d’Alene parks director on his final day with the city after a 27-year career.

One by one, they walked to the podium to speak of Greenwood’s leadership, knowledge and passion as he sat at a table, surrounded by family. He was visibly moved at times. 

“It's been a great pleasure. I loved working with you,” said Renata McLeod, municipal services director. 

“You’ve always been supportive,” said George Sayler with the Tubbs Hill Foundation.  

Michael Koep, who organized the free concerts at McEuen Park for the first time last summer, said Greenwood was there for him, “every step of the way. 

“You opened so many doors and taught me so many things,” Koep said. 

Greenwood joined the city in March 1999. He worked his way up to supervisor, superintendent, interim director and finally, parks director in 2013. 

The 68-year-old called it a remarkable career. When he started, the city had 12 parks. Today, it has 32. 

He was instrumental in the success of McEuen Park and Atlas Waterfront Park, both showcases of the city’s much-admired park system. 

Greenwood said partnerships with community organizations were the key to gaining support for projects. 

“We were able to do those things together,” he said. “It's not one individual.” 

But City Councilor Christie Wood said otherwise.  

She said she often received phone calls and messages from people asking about the state of the city’s beautiful parks.

“How do we do it?” Wood said they wanted to know. 

Wood knew.

She looked at Greenwood and said, “Well, Bill, you’re how we do this.” 

Former mayor Woody McEvers said Greenwood was always willing to work with people and always took time to explain park projects. 

“I enjoyed learning new things from you,” he said. 

Greenwood appreciated the kind words. 

“It’s touching,” he said. “Absolutely touching.” 

He told a story of when he joined the city and was working near City Park one evening. He said he was the only person around, hustling to complete his task, when he stopped and looked out at Lake Coeur d’Alene.  

“It was like glass. There wasn’t a boat on it. The sun was setting,” he said. 

Greenwood said he started laughing and wondering how he could be so lucky as to get paid for what he was doing at the time. 

“I don’t how it happened,” he said with a shake of his head.

That moment stayed with him. 

Today, more than 50,000 people call Coeur d'Alene home and Greenwood takes pride in knowing he had a hand in developing the parks treasured by many.

“I never lost the desire and appreciation for a job like this,” he said. 

    Bill Greenwood is congratulated by George Sayler during his retirement party on Friday.
  

    Bill Greenwood's retirement cake urges him to buy a boat. He said he plans to do just that.