It is said that “you can never go home again,” but in the case of Corrie Guynn, it seems that you can.

Guynn, who worked full-time at the Skokie Park District 15 years ago as a college student, was recently hired as the district’s new superintendent of parks, replacing Mike Rea, who is retiring after 11 years in the position and 34 years in the industry.

Guynn comes to Skokie from the Des Plaines Park District, where he served in a similar position for four years. He previously worked in parks and recreation for the City of Evanston for 10 years. From 2002-05, he worked as a park specialist for the Skokie Park District. Guynn never completely left Skokie, however, having served for the past 14 years as the director of the district’s haunted house, Scream Scene.

“Mr. Guynn has the experience and just the right set of skills to take the district’s park services division boldly into the future,” said executive director John Ohrlund. “We are proud to officially welcome him back to the place where he began his parks and recreation career.”

In his new position Guynn oversees the administration, management, operations, planning, organization and budgeting of all aspects of the parks division operation, which includes administering a comprehensive maintenance program for the district’s 46 parks and 12 facilities. He also acts as the district’s construction manager. Guynn is one of three district superintendents who reports to the executive director. He oversees a full-time staff of 19, including three supervisors, along with dozens of part-time and seasonal staff.

Among his many certifications, Guynn is a certified parks and recreation professional, a certified arborist, a certified playground and safety inspector, and a certified pool operator.

Guynn graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. When not working he enjoys family time, triathlons, annually terrifying teens and adults –– and cookies.