RECREATION & PARKS

615 S. McClelland Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454

The Department of Recreation and Parks' mission is to enrich the lives of the residents of Santa Maria through quality recreation programs and services; and to provide safe and well-maintained facilities and parks, while anticipating the changing needs of the community. The department operates 234 acres of developed parkland in 27 neighborhood and community parks, part of the 1,774-acre Los Flores Ranch Park property, the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, the Hagerman Softball Complex, Paul Nelson Aquatics Center, Elwin Mussell Senior Center, Veterans' Memorial Center and other community centers. The department provides programs in aquatics, youth and adult sports, therapeutics and senior services, Special Olympics, community classes and events, youth and teen programs, and Families For the First Decade programs. It also runs the City's Urban Forest Program.

photo-Alexander Posada, Director of Recreation and Parks ALEXANDER POSADA
Director of Recreation & Parks

City Phone: (805) 925.0951 x260
City Fax: (805) 925.4508
E-mail

EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT:

  • Social Services, San Jose State University
  • Social Work, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
  • Public Administration, La Salle University
  • Director of Recreation and Parks, City of Santa Maria
  • Interim Recreation Superintendent, City of Santa Maria
  • Recreation Supervisor, City of Santa Maria
  • Facility Manager, City of Santa Maria
  • Social Worker I, County of Santa Barbara
  • Recreation Specialist, City of Santa Maria
  • Recreation Specialist, Hayward Area District
  • Teen Counselor, City of San Jose

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

  • Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria
  • United Way of the Central Coast
  • Santa Maria Affiliate Santa Barbara Foundation
  • Advisory Committee, Special Olympics Southern California
  • North County American Red Cross Disaster Services
  • American Red Cross

PERSONAL:

  • Marital status: Married
  • Children: Three
  • General interests: Travel and photography

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for the daily operations and management of the Recreation and Parks Department. Provide staff support to the City Manager's Office, City Council and Recreation and Parks Commission. Supervise a staff of 30 full-time and 32 permanent part-time, assigned to 5 major divisions: Parks, Landscape Districts, Urban Forest, Recreation, and Administration. Services are provided in the following areas: city parks (225+ acres), part of Los Flores Ranch Park, publicly managed trees (30,000+), street medians, storm basins and rights-of-way (45+ acres), Santa Maria Town Center landscaping and parking structures, 7 major recreation facilities offering specialty recreation classes and programs and support to community based recreation programs i.e., youth basketball, youth soccer, etc.

Mission Statement
To enrich the lives of the residents of Santa Maria and surrounding areas through the provision of quality recreation and park facilities, programs and services, while being intuitive and responsive to the leisure needs of our customers.

2010-11 Goals/Objectives

  1. Strive to maintain the highest levels of service to the public, while maintaining strong fiscal control over expenses, by prioritizing service delivery to the various parks and community centers which are operated by the department.
  2. Increase sponsorship outreach efforts to community groups, businesses, and individuals to supplement budget reductions and work with P.L.A.Y., Inc. to expand marketing efforts and fund-raising opportunities.
  3. Develop and present updates to user fees, rental rates, service/permit fees for the community's use of Department facilities, instructional classes, inspection and plan-check charges in an attempt to improve cost recovery in each of these areas.
  4. Coordinate with the Department of Public Works to ensure that recreational and leisure services are maintained at Preisker Park during the development and construction of the northwest fire station.
  5. Continue to work with the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District on a joint-operations agreement for the pools at each of the high schools to ensure the safety of students, expand water safety education programs, provide low-cost venues for recreational swim activities, and promote health and wellness in the community.
  6. Expand marketing efforts to target families and groups who are not regular users of department programs and services, and also develop new methods to retain customers.
  7. Continue using the public's input received during the 2006 Community Leisure Assessment Update to further the recreational programs offer by the department.
  8. Incorporate the statewide public education campaign, "Parks Make Life Better", by adopting the Department's own version, "Recreation and Parks Make Life Better", as our promotional slogan.
  9. Continue working with non-profit organizations, schools, heath care providers, businesses, and funding partners throughout the Santa Maria Valley, in an effort to maintain quality, recreational opportunities to all City residents.
  10. Look for operational efficiency in all aspects of the department's operations and encourage customers and employees at all levels to make suggestions by establishing "I Have A Great Idea!" throughout the department, a program for soliciting, evaluating, and rewarding great ideas.