The City of Independence has announced that they have named Scott Patton the new Director of the Independence Park, Zoo, and Cemetery Departments. Patton will assume the role next Monday.

Patton has worked as a park ranger for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism for the past two years stationed primarily at Elk City State Park, where he was responsible for a wide variety of roles including safety and law enforcement, customer service, educational programming, and park operations. He previously worked for the City of Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department and Kansas State University. His seasonal roles included time with the KDWPT and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Tuttle Creek Lake in Manhattan.

Patton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Park Management and Conservation from KSU and earned Kansas Law Enforcement Officer certification through the University of Kansas training center.