A new face in the Recreation Department: Introducing Chris Parker

We are pleased to announce Chris Parker, who joined the Recreation Department in mid-January as the Recreation Manager. He will oversee classes, facilities, special events, and our Community Center front-desk staff. Take a moment to get to know him!

Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your hobbies.
I was born in Philadelphia, raised on the Eastern Shore, and lived in Baltimore for the past 14 years. My hobbies are traveling and sports. Some of my favorite places to travel to are the Virgin Islands and Canada. My favorite sports are basketball, football, and baseball. I ran track in college. I have a daughter who just turned 4.

What recreation programs were you involved in growing up, and how did they shape who you are now?
I was involved in youth sports, and my coaches taught me about sportsmanship and teamwork. These programs helped me learn how to work with different people and adapt to changing situations.

What are you most excited about regarding your new position?
I am excited to learn about all the classes offered by the Department already, but I am particularly happy to be working with the recreation team and meeting new people around Takoma Park.

What have you enjoyed so far about the City of Takoma Park?
The diversity within the community has been refreshing. Coming from my previous position in Loudoun County, VA, it has been nice to see all the different people that live in Takoma Park and interact with them.

What kind of programs and classes would you like to bring to Takoma Park?
I would eventually like to bring a Track and Field program to Takoma Park.

This article was featured in the March 2023 Newsletter. Visit the Takoma Park Newsletter webpage to see the full list of past newsletters.