Scroll down to see copies of the settlement agreement and resignation letter.

Cincinnati’s parks director got paid more than $39,000 to quit his job.

Wade Walcutt resigned effective Wednesday. In return, Cincinnati Parks is paying him a lump sum of $39,528.88.

Walcutt will also get a payout for 138.6 hours of unused vacation time and 96 hours of unused sick leave, according to a settlement agreement obtained by The Enquirer.

Board of Park Commissioners Vice President Jim Goetz said talks between the board and Walcutt have been ongoing for several months. He wouldn't say who initiated the discussions but said "it became clear to both parties" it was time to move on.

The separation agreement ensures Walcutt will continue to help the city with the legal battle over the Lytle Park trees as well as potential other litigation Goetz said he wasn't free to discuss.

Plus, Walcutt moved to Cincinnati from North Carolina to take the job, Goetz said. He bought a home in Cincinnati less than two years ago, and the park board was trying to ease the "burden of now turning around and selling and uprooting the family again."

The Enquirer has requested a copy of Walcutt's personnel file, which has not yet been provided. Goetz wouldn't discuss whether the board was happy with Walcutt's performance.

"I don't want to go into that," he said. "We think he provided some leadership that the parks department needed, and we appreciate the two years he spent developing a team and helping with the transition from the long-term director that we had prior to him."

Walcutt was hired in 2017 after a national search for a new director. In a brief letter to the board, he said he was resigning to take "another professional opportunity."

“I’m in awe of the opportunities and experiences I’ve had in Cincinnati and how much we’ve changed and accomplished,” he wrote. “… This is a very special place; however, it’s the right time and I’m excited to move forward to take advantage of another professional opportunity which will greatly benefit my family and myself.”

The park board met briefly Tuesday to discuss the resignation. The meeting was scheduled for 2 p.m. but started a few minutes late. It was over by 2:08.

Walcutt was not in attendance when the five-member board unanimously accepted his resignation, approved his severance deal and appointed an interim successor, Kara Kish.

Board president Brad Lindner said there are no plans to launch another search for a new director, with the goal being instead to give Kish a chance to settle into the job.

“We are standing behind Kara and will support her in any way we can,” Lindner said.

Kish, originally from Mentor, Ohio, had been serving as Deputy Director for Parks under Walcutt. The board has not yet approved a salary for her.

Walcutt was making $158,000 a year.