Livermore Parks Head Takes On State Leadership Role

The Livermore Area Recreation and Park District’s leader is taking on an expanded role. is getting recognition on a statewide level.

LARPD General Manager Tim Barry has been installed as the California Park and Recreation Society President for 2015, leading the 11-member statewide Board of Directors and professional staff who are at the headquarters in Sacramento.

CPRS provides professional development and training, legislative advocacy, leadership development, research and career advancement for members and is the voice of parks and recreation in California.

“Achieving this role has been a career-long ambition, and enables me to meet and understand members from all over the state and compare notes on best practices and research that will enhance our services at LARPD,” Barry said. “I’m thankful that our LARPD Board and my staff have supported my efforts to enable me to take this lead role in our profession and really make a positive difference in the parks and recreation movement in California.”

Having been General Manager of LARPD for nearly 12 years, Barry has been working in the parks and recreation profession for about 42 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration and a master’s degree in Public Administration, both from California State University, Long Beach, where he grew up. Prior to coming to Livermore, Barry worked his way up in various city parks and recreation departments throughout his career, including the cities of Buena Park, Anaheim, Seaside, Woodland and Rohnert Park as a supervisor, manager, superintendent and department director.

At LARPD, he has been responsible for the successful completion of the 71,000-square-foot Robert Livermore Community Center, the synthetic turf fields at Robertson Park, various park improvements and new trails. Barry also oversees the maintenance and operation of more than 40 parks, including Sycamore Grove Park, Brushy Peak Regional Preserve and Robertson Park - as well as a diverse recreation program for all ages, including the state-licensed Extended Student Services child-care program at all elementary school sites.

Barry holds a Special District Leadership Certification and is one of only 100 people nationwide who have earned Certified Park and Recreation Executive by the National Recreation and Park Association. He is Past-President of the Alameda County Chapter of the California Special Districts Association and has been a member of a number of volunteer service organizations, including Lions Club, Jaycees, the United Way and is a member of the Livermore Rotary Club.