photo by: City of Mesa, Arizona

Luis Ruiz

Lawrence’s Parks, Recreation and Culture director will be leaving in October, the city announced on Wednesday.

Luis Ruiz, who has served as the PRC’s director since May 2024, will leave Lawrence and return to the City of Mesa, Arizona, to become its director of arts and culture. Ruiz previously told the Journal-World he had worked for nearly 20 years in various roles with the cities of Phoenix and Mesa before he took the job in Lawrence.

In a press release, Ruiz said he had great respect for Lawrence and its community but is looking forward to returning to Arizona.

“It’s been an honor to serve here, and while I’ll miss the team, I’m grateful for the experience and excited to return home to Mesa,” Ruiz said.

During Ruiz’s time with the city, he helped finalize the department’s Master Plan, which was approved in March 2025. The department has also faced cuts from the city the past two years, including a need to cut $1.8 million ahead of crafting the 2026 budget. Those cuts helped spark the development of a proposal to add entry fees and membership costs of up to $25 a month for the city’s recreation centers as a way to defray deeper cuts to the department.

Ruiz’s last day with the city will be Friday, Oct. 3.

Lindsay Hart, assistant director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, will serve as interim director beginning Saturday, Oct. 4.