NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Tuesday was the beginning of an era for the New Haven Parks Department, as Maxwell Webster started his tenure as the city’s new Parks Director.
Mayor Justin Elicker announced Webster’s appointment last Friday. He said the parks are among the city’s most cherished assets, noting that they are locations where people of all backgrounds can enjoy time outdoors, exercise and be with family and friends.
“We’re committed to ensuring our parks, playgrounds and green spaces are welcoming, well-used and well-maintained places for all New Haveners to enjoy,” Elicker said. “I’m excited to welcome Max Webster back to New Haven as our new Parks Director and for him to bring his experience, knowledge and expertise from across the country to build on and strengthen the work we’ve been doing to enhance our local parks, playgrounds and green spaces.”
In this position, Webster is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day maintenance and long-range planning for New Haven’s parks, parkways, forests and recreational facilities such as athletic fields, playgrounds, splash pads, pavilions and more.
New Haven features more than 2,200 acres of parkland across 100 park sites. According to the city, 96% of residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park.
The Parks Department also facilitates free and low-cost outdoor recreational activities and programs for residents, working in partnership with New Haven’s Youth and Recreation Department, local organizations, sports leagues and the parks friends’ group to support community-based activities and programming for all ages.
“I am excited to return to New Haven as the city’s new Parks Director and look forward to serving alongside the dedicated staff of the Parks Department to steward the Elm City’s parks, green spaces and urban forest,” Webster said in a release from the city.
Webster said New Haven is blessed with an incredible amount of parkland and that he hopes to ensure it is open to all.
“Working in partnership with the community, I’m committed to ensuring New Haven has a high-quality, vibrant and inclusive parks system that promotes outdoor recreation, health, wellness and environmental sustainability,” Webster said.
According to the city, Webster has spent a decade working in parks and green space management, conservation and public policy. He most recently served as the Natural Areas Manager for the Chicago Park District, overseeing operations for the restoration and development of more than 1,000 acres of natural areas.
In Chicago, Webster managed a staff of over 40 full-time and seasonal employees. His team worked on urban forest management, plantings, ecological restoration, trail maintenance, natural play site management, fleet management, snow removal and coordinating activities and partnerships with volunteers, partner organizations and job trainings.
Before that, Webster was the Midwest Policy Manager for American Farmland Trust, coordinating policy, research and advocacy efforts in seven different Midwest states. He is also a previous employee of the Washington Environmental Council, where he worked as the Evergreen Forests Program Manager. In that position, Webster led the organization’s advocacy efforts to secure over $20 million in new public funding for forest conservation efforts across Washington State.
The city of New Haven added that Webster completed his Master of Environmental Management degree at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. During that time, he worked as a Community Forester and Research Assistant for the Urban Resources Initiative, which is New Haven’s nonprofit partner for tree plantings and community forestry activities.
Webster also earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Cincinnati.
In the release, New Haven notes that its Parks Department consists of 45 full-time employees. Another 39 part-time seasonal employees are hired throughout the year to support the operation.
In the most recent city budget, Elicker proposed – and the Board of Alders approved – increasing the number of parks staff to improve the maintenance and upkeep of the city’s parks and athletic fields and separate the Parks and Public Works Department. Both departments are now stand-alone agencies.
Webster will take over the position that was held in an acting capacity by Michael Siciliano, who will continue to serve as the Director of New Haven’s Department of Public Works.
Webster will now report to Regina Rush-Kittle, the city’s Chief Administrative Officer.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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