February 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 35

Kara Greeley, 30
Recreation Supervisor, Waltham Recreation (MA)
Kara Greeley has made a tremendous impact on the City of Waltham,
Massachusetts. Greeley creates new, fun ideas - such as Treasure
Hikes, Baking Buddies and the Kaleidoscope Summer Program. She
knows families by name, and participants who attend her program
leave wanting to come back for more. Although Greeley is responsible
for her own programs, she often assists coworkers with their
tasks. She also works with other recreation departments in the
state to think of creative ideas and initiatives that all towns can
utilize. For example, her department created a Community
Dodgeball Tournament that brought youth and elected officials
together for a night of fun.
Nicole Herrera Murray, 28
Assistant Recreation Director, City of Goose Creek (SC)
Nicole Herrera Murray first joined the City of Goose
Creek, South Carolina, as a coordinator, whereby she
multiplied the number of programs and participants.
Herrera Murray also led a two-year project to bring
a $9 million all-abilities, barrier-free park and playground
to the community with a focus on inclusivity
and health and wellness. She selected all of the
equipment with the special needs community in
mind. In 2022, Herrera Murray was promoted to assistant
recreation director due to her knowledge in recreation
programming, special events and therapeutics. In
addition, she has taken on the role of Area 6 director
for the Special Olympics of South Carolina.
Savannah Hottel, 26
Naturalist and Volunteer Coordinator, Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation -
Okeeheelee Nature Center (FL)
Since being promoted to Okeeheelee Nature Center (ONC)
lead naturalist and volunteer coordinator, Savannah Hottel
has processed, trained and retained 15 dedicated volunteers
to support ONC's operations. In fall 2020, she
helped launch the Okee-Teen Volunteer Program, providing
local teens a unique opportunity to work with animal
ambassadors while developing important careerbuilding
skills. She designed this program to better develop
teens' educational and career skills through opportunities
that are not normally available in schools. Hottel also
has made vast improvements to ONC's environmental education
programming for Exceptional Student Education, Autism
Spectrum Disorder, and various students with unique learning needs.
LaNaya Hawthorne, 30
Finance Manager, Memphis Parks
(TN)
LaNaya Hawthorne
years working
began
in the field as a lifeguard in
Memphis, Tennessee. After
eight
in
aquatics department,
the
Hawthorne
became the executive
assistant to the parks director.
In this role, she began learning
the multi-faceted processes
involved in the agency's
$30 million operating budget.
Her financial expertise and responsibilities
grew. As finance
manager, Hawthorne promotes
transparency and collaboration
with the budgeting process and
empowers the agency's managers
by equipping them with
financial knowledge. Today,
teams across the agency are
more knowledgeable
about
their operating funds, enabling
them to be more efficient in
providing programs and services
to the community.
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | FEBR U AR Y 2 0 2 3
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35
February 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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