21°
Fava will assume her duties starting Sept. 1. She replaces former parks and recreation director Stuart McCarthy, who retired June 1.
Fava served for three years as the commissioner of parks and recreation in the Town of North Hempstead in New Hyde Park, New York, where she managed a work force of 385 full and part-time employees and oversaw an operating budget three times larger than Westport’s parks and recreation’s budget.
She managed the maintenance, operations and improvements of 53 park facilities (approximately 900 acres) including golf courses, a marina, the Clark Botanical Garden, multiple aquatic facilities, an athletic stadium and a 60,000 sq. ft. community center. She also implemented a more user friendly website with new online registration and facility reservation capability.
For nine years prior to that, Fava served as the superintendent of parks and recreation for the Town of Yorktown, New York. There she managed 29 parks, related facilities and personnel, and was responsible for approximately 750 acres of open space.
“I believe it is important to ensure a balance of active and passive recreation opportunities and to look at each site not only on an individual basis, but also as a part of the entire park system as a whole,” said Fava. “Open space is critical not only for providing passive opportunities, but also for the aesthetics and environmental benefits of the community.”
“I’m looking forward to working with the staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission to address key issues for the parks and recreation department and the Westport community,” she continued.
Fava is affiliated with numerous associations, boards and committees, including the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the New York State Recreation and Park Society (NYSRPS), and is chair of the Mid Atlantic Regional Consortium Executive Board. She holds a bachelor’s degree in leisure studies and resources from UMass Amherst and a master’s from Fordham University.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.
