Granby Recreation Director to Leave Post After 24 Years

After 24 years as the town of Granby's Director of Recreation and Leisure Services, Kay Woodford is passing on the torch and entering into retirement.

Woodford, a Granby resident, came on board in 1987 after working as an administrative secretary for the town manager. Prior to working for Granby, Woodford majored in music education at Lowell State, worked as a teacher and played the organ at local churches until the early 80s. 

Ironically, Woodford also served as co-chair of Granby’s 200th celebration in 1986 for two years, and is now the administrative support for the 225th celebration this year. 

“I really found I was pretty good at organizational skills,” she said. “That’s kind of what this job really is.”

The role of director of recreation and leisure services was a match for Woodford, and since she came on board, has helped to turn the department into what it is today. 

“Kay is a super organizer who almost single handedly raised the level of recreation services in Granby to great heights,” said Town Manager William Smith. “With her hands-on approach, she has devoted herself for two and one half decades to serving our town's recreation needs.”

From bus trips and field hockey clinics to music camp and children’s yoga in the park, Woodford is the face behind the programming as well as overseeing the town’s parks with the public works department. Over the years, Woodford has brought countless new programs to town and expanded other already existing ones. 

Smith said Woodford’s attention to detail and giving of herself to the town’s recreation services is “a proven success story.”

Suzanne Yucha, a member of the Parks and Recreation Board in town for the past five years, said Woodford has given a lot of recognition to the entire parks and recreation department. She added that Woodford always manages to keep up the times and offer the latest programming.

“Zumba is big now,” Yucha said. “She makes sure that that is what she is offering to the town’s people.”

In addition to gardening, reading and bowling in her spare time, Woodford said she will now be able to spend more time with her two grandchildren. 

Woodford said she will be leaving behind a job and group of people that she is very fond of. 

“I will miss the people,” Woodford said. “I do really love this job.” 

Even though Woodford will no longer be the director of the department, she will be involved with the preparation for the 225th celebration in October, a role she said she never saw herself filling again after the 200th birthday.

Woodford will also make sure the transition for the new director is a smooth one, who will begin work on May 16. 

Both Yucha and Smith said they wish Woodford well in her retirement, and added that she will be missed greatly. 

“We’re sad to see her go,” Yucha said. “We’re definitely going to miss her.”