Arlington Names New Recreation Director

ARLINGTON, MA — Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine has named a new head of the town's recreation department.

Chapdelaine announced Monday that Jonathan Marshall has been named as Arlington's new Recreation Director, and will take over on Sept. 19. Marshall replaces interim director James Feeney and former full-time director Joseph Connelly, who now serves as the Director of Community Services in Andover.

Feeney was appointed to the position of Assistant Town Manager Thursday.

“I pleased Mr. Marshall is joining Arlington’s management team,” said Chapdelaine in a statement. “Jon has a strong ability to build outstanding community programs and a deft hand in public administration. A winning combination that will see the continuation of Arlington’s successful, self-sustaining recreational programs.”

Marshall's duties will include running the recreation department and its staff of seven employees as well as the oversight and implementation of recreational and state-licensed pre-school and after school programs. Marshall will also oversee capital projects under the jurisdiction of the Park and Recreation Commission.

The new director previously served as Natick's Recreation and Parks director for over 10 years. He also served the department as Program Director developing youth and adult programming, large community events and oversaw special-needs programming.

He also serves as the Legislative chair of the Massachusetts Recreation and Parks association and is a past president. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Salve Regina University and earned a certificate of public administration from Suffolk University and the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA).

"I am honored to be coming to Arlington’s recreation department,” said Marshall in a statement. “I look forward to working with their talented staff and the community to continue Arlington’s long tradition of quality recreational programming.”