William L. Landahl was a long time Director of Parks and Recreation, Jackson County, Missouri. Previously he held positions as Assistant Superintendent, Parks and Recreation, City of El Paso, Texas; Park Superintendent, Kentucky State Parks; and Seasonal Ranger, National Park Service.
Landahl received his Masters Public Administration (Urban Affairs), University of Missouri, Kansas City, 1970, and B.S., Forestry - Park Management, Michigan State University, 1950.
While in Jackson County, Landahl developed an award winning regional park system through operations, maintenance and construction, plus an historical division which includes Fort Osage, Civil War Museum, and the Harry S. Truman Office and Courtroom. He planned, developed and operated new marinas, campgrounds, and regional parks, and master planned a system of parks and flood control, which included 22,000 acres of country parks.
He was a member of the National Recreation and Park Association, Missouri Park and Recreation Association (Life). He held numerous appointments and board memberships in park and recreation organizations, including President (1974-1975) National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, and President 1968, Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute.
Landahl received many awards during his career, including Public Administrator of the Year, 1981 Burroughs Audubon Society, Kansas City, Missouri; Fellow Award, 1979 National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials; Diamond Award, 1978; Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute; Fellowship Award, 1977; Missouri Park and Recreation Association; Achievement Award, 1974; National Association of Counties; Finalist National Gold Medal Award, 1974, The Sports Foundation, Inc.; Bronze Medal, Everly Award, 1966, Park and Recreation Foundation for "Excellence in System Development", National Recreation and Park Association; Distinguished Service Award, 1965; American Institute of Park Executives; Medal Award, 1961; Kansas City Chapter of American Institute of Architects,; and a Special Award from the Kansas City Chapter of American Institute of Architects in 1960.