Robert McMahon has run a lot of the Providence Parks Department for years. Finally, Mayor Cicilline has given him the title he has so long deserved: superintendent.

A Brown grad and Navy vet, Mr. McMahon was hired as deputy superintendent of parks 22 years ago by Mayor Joseph Paolino. Since then, he’s been the go-to guy responsible for keeping the parks clean and safe, first as deputy to former Supt. Nancy Derrig and more recently for Alix Ogden, who was recently named the mayor’s chief of operations.

Roger Williams Park became a jewel in Providence’s civic crown under Mr. McMahon’s low-key, no-nonsense stewardship. As the 62-year-old received his appointment from the mayor at the big park’s lovely Casino, he cracked jokes at his own lengthy tenure, while his 8-year-old son called him the “big parks cheese.”

In truth, that’s what he has long been. Now it will say so on Mr. McMahon’s office door.

It’s always a happy moment when a good person finally wins the big promotion. Congratulations to him and to Providence.