Served on Recreation & Parks Commission for one year, garden designer/property manager
If re-elected, what are your goals for your term?
There are endless issues that should be addressed by the Recreation and Parks Commission. My top three goals would be 1) to facilitate and improve cooperation between pickleball players and the neighbors, 2) ensure Reynolds Playground Phase 1 Transformation has buy-in from all the stakeholders and we as initiators of this program use due diligence to ensure the proposal delivers long lasting sustainable results 3) continue to push for more thoughtful design and increased biodiversity in our parks. That will increase public enjoyment of these spaces.
What skills/experience do you bring to the table?
I am unique in that I bring decades of experience managing public land and parks to the commission. My career began 40 years ago, spending 12 years as director of Long Hill, a 114-acre conservation property in Beverly which offered numerous educational programs. With my experience in management and horticulture I would like to increase the visual appeal and the biodiversity of the Marblehead parks. In my first year on the Commission, I was instrumental in starting the Friends of Marblehead Parks, which recently received its status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This group started meeting in January and will have its first fundraiser, a native plant sale, on June 20. The goal is to increase the beauty, biodiversity and functionality of our parks and in turn make them a valuable resource for all ages. Although I have many skills pertaining to parks, I am a strong advocate for recreation. I have three children who grew up in town, and they have regularly participated in many of Recreation’s offerings. Over the years pickleball, summer camp, stand-up paddleboard, swimming at all the beaches, Scarecrow Stroll and Contest, and youth soccer were some of their favorite activities.
If there’s one thing you could change about Marblehead’s recreation programs and parks with a magic wand, what would it be?
If I had a magic wand, I would love to create a large space, far from any homes, where pickleball enthusiasts could play morning, noon and night without impacting any neighbors.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Rec & Parks?
Although Recreation and Parks does a phenomenal job of bringing in money with all of its programming, shortages in staffing and equipment remain. So I think budgetary needs are a real challenge. Many athletic fields have drainage problems (principally Seaside Park) or irregular grades (Reynolds Playground and Village School) that are potentially dangerous. Currently, there is no money in the budget to address these concerns.
What’s your favorite park in town? What about your favorite recreation program over the years?
My favorite park is Crocker Park. It is a 10-minute walk from my home. When friends come from out of town we always walk there as the historic neighborhoods that surround the park are incredibly unique and quaint. It is beautiful in the summer when the harbor is full of boats and equally enchanting in the winter. The winter view of the empty harbor and Neck beyond seems subdued and tranquil, like an old postcard.
My favorite recreation program would have to be the badminton program run at the Community Center. There is not a large audience for this sport, which further supports the idea of what a great job the Recreation leadership does. I love the game and played there regularly for many years. The program was very successful and drew players from a large geographic area.
