By Cy Ryan, Las Vegas Sun

CARSON CITY — David Morrow, administrator of the state Division of Parks for the past 10 years, is retiring and he jokes it’s because of “old age.”

Morrow turns 65 in September and he said Monday he wants time to walk, hike and fish.

He worked 30 years in Utah before being chosen to head the Nevada system of 24 parks.

The park system took some big hits during the economic downturn with the state budget being cut by 60 percent. But he said the division was able to keep parks open and operating.

The two biggest parks in the system are the Valley of Fire in Southern Nevada and Lake Tahoe Park, both getting close to 1 million visitors a year.

The system, in cooperation with Douglas County, operated the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park, but the state gave it up during the recession to the county.

His last day will be in July, but he’ll be on annual leave most of August.

The replacement will be named by Leo Drozdoff, director of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The incoming administrator will earn $107,165.