Mayor Picks New Director of Recreation and Parks

The city of Annapolis may soon have a new director of its . Brian Woodward previously served as Southern Parks Division Chief for Montgomery County.

Mayor Josh Cohen said he is hopeful the City Council will confirm Woodward at its June 18 meeting.

"Brian was one of our better employees," said Woodward's former boss, Montgomery County's Acting Deputy Director of Operations Gene Giddens. "Annapolis couldn't have made a better choice."

Woodward worked under Giddens for five years, and he described Annapolis' potential new director as dependable, prompt and flexible. 

"He thinks ahead," Giddens said. "He always has a plan of attack."

Those skills will certainly come in handy. Cohen said one of the first items on Woodward's agenda will be tackling the .

"The overall project is still in the budget, but the wording about the design and you know, 10 parking spaces and community garden and this and that is all taken out. It talks about a planning process that will happen," Cohen said. "One of his [Woodward's] first orders of business is going to be spearheading this process and really shepherding the community participation piece."

Woodward graduated from the of University of Maryland where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in resource conservation and wildlife biology. He also holds a Master of Science degree in public administration from George Washington University. 

He will replace former the department's former director , who stepped down in January.

The Department of Recreation and Parks has been run by Dick Callahan in the interim, and the mayor thanked him for his service in a press release.

What do you think of the new director? Tell me in the comments.