On any given day, Whitman Morgan might be teaching someone how to paddle a kayak, guiding a camper up a climbing tower or introducing a resident to an outdoor activity they’ve never tried before.

For Morgan, those moments are what parks and recreation is all about: helping people discover something new about themselves and the natural world around them.

After more than a decade working in the parks and recreation industry, Morgan now serves as specialty recreation manager for Forsyth County Parks & Recreation, helping lead a growing division that provides innovative outdoor and therapeutic recreation programs for residents of all ages and abilities.

The Specialty Recreation division itself is new, launched in January 2025, and reflects the department’s continued commitment to expanding innovative programming for residents. The division is responsible for outdoor recreation and therapeutic recreation.

In 2016, Morgan joined Forsyth County as program coordinator at Fowler Park Recreation Center. In 2021, he transitioned to Sawnee Mountain Preserve as the outdoor recreation supervisor before stepping into his current role in 2025.

Along the way, Morgan developed a particular passion for paddling programs, which have become some of the most distinctive outdoor recreation offerings in the county.

“I’ve worked hard over the last few years to become a competent paddler and a better paddle instructor,” he said.

That dedication paid off. In 2025, Morgan placed third in the instructor category in an American Canoe Association (ACA) initiative that encouraged instructors across all ACA disciplines to teach more Level 1 and 2 courses and help welcome new paddlers into the sport.

But for Morgan, the most meaningful moments come from watching participants grow.

“My favorite memories have been watching participants discover their passion for the outdoors,” he said. “It has been especially rewarding to see programs and staff make such an impact that some of those kids want to become counselors themselves and have that same kind of impact on the next generation,” he said. “Being able to watch some really great kids grow into potential future outdoor recreation leaders is really rewarding.”

Programs are designed with growth in mind, whether it’s learning a new paddling skill or climbing a few more feet on a tower.

“One of our big goals is to help each participant recognize what they learned and took away from each experience,” Morgan said. “Accomplishments do not look the same for everybody; it’s very individualized. Staff tries to highlight participants’ effort, growth, and the value of trying new things. We want participants to understand that what they experience here can carry over into other parts of their lives.”

That mindset reflects a broader philosophy within the department, one that is built on a strong foundation and gives people meaningful opportunities to grow.

“I think we’re able to be so innovative because we had really good people come before us and lay down the path that we sprint on today,” Morgan said. “When we see a cool trend, we’re able to act on it easily because we already have avenues in place to make it happen.”

Morgan and his team also stay connected with outdoor recreation agencies nationwide, monitoring trends and exploring how new ideas might fit the needs of Forsyth County residents. And, following each program or camp, participants receive a survey, and staff review the feedback closely to refine and evolve their offerings.

“If you ever think that your programs are perfect, that’s a problem,” Morgan said. “They can always get better. And I think that’s one of the true blessings of our staff is that they’re really going to try every single day to make a program the best it can be.

“I don’t know that we ever sit on our hands and run the same programs over and over again,” he said. “We’re always looking for ways to improve and make programs more efficient and the best they can be.

At its core, Morgan believes outdoor recreation offers something uniquely valuable: a chance to reconnect with nature and build confidence. Forsyth County’s parks make those experiences possible.

“We’re blessed by the abundance of natural resources and the number of parks we have in Forsyth County. What amazes me is that you can walk into so many of our parks and feel like you’ve stepped away from everything else for a while,” he said.

And with new programs, new partnerships and a new specialty recreation division, Morgan and his team are continuing to create opportunities for residents to discover the outdoors in ways that inspire confidence, connection and lifelong enjoyment of nature.

Take a look at the Forsyth County 2025 Annual Report for more! Check out the past year's stats and accomplishments, meet the people who serve our community and learn about the projects in progress around the county.