Parks and Recreation Director David Freedman Resigns

Parks and Recreation Director David Freedman put his own stamp on his department since being hired two years ago. The construction of a new pool at Wolfe Park, upgrading of playing fields and installation of new backstops all occurred under his watch.

This summer, the Parks and Recreation Department moved into the first floor of Chalk Hill School with the plan of transforming it to a community center. But it will have to embark on that endeavor without Freedman.

On Monday the director resigned to accept a new job as executive director and president of U.S. operations for the British University North America Club (BUNAC), an international organization that provides summer camp, work and volunteer programs abroad.

"He was highly dedicated, above and beyond what we expected," First Selectman Steve Vavrek said Friday morning. "Since I've been working with him I was able to reach out to him at any time of the day. We will miss him, obviously."

Freedman was hired following the passing of Parks and Recreation Director Ron Wallisa, who had held the position for three decades.

"Ron had left some big shoes to fill here," Vavrek said. "David took the bull by the horns and changed things that needed to be changed, streamlined operations, and worked well with Supt. Of Schools Colleen Palmer on the Masuk Pool situation and the move to Chalk Hill."

Freedman said he is most proud of leading the project for the Ron Wallisa Pool, which opened at Wolfe Park last spring.

"It was on time and on budget and it has been an enormous success," Freedman said. "I'm very proud of that. It was a charge from Tom Buzi and we followed through with it with Steve Vavrek. It was flawless."

Freedman said the pool had complete support from the entire community. "It was the biggest accomplishment, not only I have seen, but the town has seen in decades," he said.

Freedman's last day is Aug. 27.

Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman George Bent will fill in on an interim basis, until a new director is hired. Vavrek said that process should take several months.

"We're lucky to have Frank Bent, who has been chairman of Parks and Recreation for a long time and knows the system and the people very well," Vavrek said.

Just as the late First Selectman Tom Buzi had stepped in and answered phones to help the department run after Wallisa passed away, Vavrek said he will also play a role in the day-to-day operations of the Parks and Recreation Department until a new director is hired.

"Ultimately, the buck stops here," he said.

'An opportunity of a lifetime'

Prior to working for the town, Freedman had spent 12 years in the camping industry, running overnight and day camps. He has remained active with the American Camping Association and saw the BUNAC position opening on its list serve.

"This is really an opportunity of a lifetime for me, from a financial perspective," Freedman said. "I was really thinking of my family."

Freedman and his wife, Christene, live in Newtown and have two children, a six- and a seven-year-old.

BUNAC is based in the United Kingdom with offices in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Ireland.

Freedman will be charged with building the American office into a profit center and hiring international staff for summer camp.

"It's all about the international exchange," he said of BUNAC's mission.

BUNAC accredits summer camps across the country. Freedman used to be an advisor at Camp America, one of BUNAC's competitors.

This is not goodbye

Vavrek said Freedman has agreed to serve as an unpaid adviser, helping the town with the transition, from Parks and Recreation Department operations to the interviewing of director candidates.

"He's here. We can go over things with him," Vavrek said. "That's the sign of a dedicated person. He's not just leaving us high and dry. He's going to work with us."

"We will still be active in Monroe," Freedman said of his family. "I live in Newtown, but will buy a pass for Wolfe Park. My kids will still participate in the summer camp. I have all the faith in the world in the stuff I helped create here. We have one of, if not the best, summer camps in the state of Connecticut."

Though he is excited about his new opportunity, Freedman said he would miss taking part in the future plans of Parks and Recreation, including the programs at Chalk Hill and the construction of a new splash park at Wolfe Park.

He will also miss working with other town officials and employees including Recreation Coordinator Jennifer Gable, Office Assistant Kelly Cunningham, Finance Director Carl Tomchik and Vavrek.

Freedman leaves with no regrets.

"I set the organization up for success," he said.