But they were coming - in droves, and they needed a place to play.

For the last 24 years, Hund's mission has been to provide recreation for the ever-increasing population.

"Our challenge was to try to grow with the county," said Hund, 53, who retired this week as director of Boone County Parks and Recreation. "The key was acquiring land, once you have the land, it might take time to develop - but that was the key."

Boone County's 102,000 residents now have nearly 1,000 acres for recreation.

Hund is leaving his yet-to-be-named successor with master plans for two parks and land for a third.

"I feel good about leaving - whoever comes in here is coming into a fine department," Hund said. "There is a balance between active and passive recreation, between programs and just open space. It's going to be a nice thing for someone to come into. It's a first-class department."

Hund said he is proudest of the success of Central Park. With 121 acres, an arboretum, walking trails, six baseball and six soccer fields, the park appeals to everyone - getting more than 100,000 visitors a year.

"I don't know what else we could get in the park," he said. "We really made good use of the land."

Monday, Boone County threw a party for Hund at Boone Links Golf Course.

"We are so excited for him for his retirement," said Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore. "We are glad he will have time to enjoy with his family, but we are going to miss him."

Moore said under Hund's leadership the department became one of the premiere parks department's in the state. In 2000, Boone was named Outstanding Parks and Recreation Department of the Year, he said.

Hund decided to retire after discovering that he had enough time - 27 years - with the state retirement system. Before coming to Boone, Hund worked as Bellevue's recreation director for five years.

Plus, he said, his wife has been after him to retire for a while.

But Hund won't be fishing everyday at the pond near his home on 11 acres in Grant County. He plans to help his wife, Patti, and daughter, Cari, in the Newport gift shop the family has owned for about six years. At 7th Street Gifts, the family sells art, jewelry, clothes and other items, he said.

And he'll help his son-in-law work on the house he is building for the family.

"I am looking forward to it, but don't have any sense that I'm just going to be lying around," Hund said. "But it will be nice because it will be at my own pace, and my own speed."

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E-mail bkelly@enquirer.com