— A message from Commissioner Nick Fish —
February 7, 2019
Dear Friend,
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Adena Long as the new Director of Portland Parks & Recreation.
A long-time public servant with over 20 years of experience with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Adena brings deep operational experience and a record of collaborative and innovative leadership.
Her appointment follows an extensive national recruitment that engaged Parks bureau employees, Parks Board members, friends groups and partner organizations, community members, and City colleagues.
“I am honored to be chosen by Commissioner Fish to head Portland Parks & Recreation,” Adena said. “Portlanders are passionate about their parks and recreation programs. I look forward to engaging the community on the challenging and important work of the bureau.”
A native New Yorker, Adena began her NYC Parks career as a seasonal Urban Park Ranger in 1997. She steadily moved up the ranks, and in 2010 became the first woman, and youngest-ever, to serve as Parks Borough Commissioner for Staten Island.
In 2018, she was recognized as manager of the year for New York City Parks. Adena has served as Deputy Commissioner for Urban Park Service and Public Programs since 2016.
Adena will assume her duties on February 19, 2019. Please join me in welcoming her to Portland!
Sincerely,
Nick Fish, Commissioner
Portland Parks & Recreation
Media
Portland Parks Looks to New York City for Its Next Parks Director
Andrew Theen in The Oregonian
City Hires New Yorker to Head Portland Parks & Recreation
Nick Budnick in the Portland Tribune