Minot Park District begins advertising today for an executive director to replace Ron Merritt, who announced he will be retiring May 26 after 31 years with the district.

Merritt, who has been with the Minot Park District since May 1992, formally submitted on Monday his letter of resignation. He had started as a zookeeper and became zoo director in 1998 and executive director in 2005.

“Many things have changed over the years, and I am proud of our many accomplishments. You always hope that you can make a difference in your place of work, to leave things better than they were when you started, and I do feel that is the case,” Merritt said in his letter. “Planning for the future has been and will continue to be a high priority for this organization. Partnerships with community organizations will also be important. I am very proud of being able to hire and retain great employees in key positions. They make our organization exceptional. I cannot say enough about the wonderful employees that work so hard every day. I certainly hope that any who step forward with interest in this position receive the consideration they deserve.”

He also thanked the board and citizens of Minot for their support of the park district.

“This has been a very rewarding career that has allowed me to make a difference in our community. It is time for someone else to take the helm, so to speak, and continue to move this organization forward,” he said.

The Minot Park Board met in special session Tuesday to accept Merritt’s resignation and make plans for hiring a new director. At its March 21 meeting, the board plans to select candidates to interview and hopes to have a new director identified by April 18.