Enrichmond Newsletter: Summer 2012

Enrichmond Newsletter- Summer 2012

The cool weather was nice while it lasted but it appears we are in store for an old fashion Richmond summer after all- HOT and HUMID.  We have a lot of good news to deliver so let’s get started…

Updates from Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities.

DPRCF taking shape under Dr. Merrifield.

Two dynamic leaders join Dr. Merrifield’s team serving as Deputy Directors in creating a world class department: Ms. Deborah E. Morton and Mr. Larry Miller.

Ms. Deborah E. Morton will oversee the Recreation Services Division and Special Projects for the Department.  She has over 27 years of local government experience.

Ms.Morton previously served as the Assistant Director for the City of Norfolk’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Open Space for 10 years. As Assistant Director, she was responsible for providing leadership and direction to a team of professionals in the Bureaus of Planning and Administration, Youth Services, Recreation & Human Development, Cemeteries and Parks & Urban Forestry.

Prior to serving in Norfolk, Ms. Morton worked in the City of Richmond as Senior Planner for the Department of Planning and Community Development, East District Manager for the City Manager’s Office, and finally as Recreation Program Coordinator for the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities.

Ms. Morton has a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies from Brooklyn College and a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Ms. Morton recently served on the Board of Directors for the Norfolk Municipal Employee Federal Credit Union. She is a member of the National Recreation and Park Association, Virginia Recreation and Park Society where she served as Chair of the 2011 state conference in Norfolk, member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) and the President of the Hampton Roads Chapter of NFBPA.

Mr. Larry Miller was recently named Deputy Director II for the department by Dr. Merrifield as well.  In this role he will continue to provide management oversight of the park and cemetery operations, facility maintenance, and capital improvements. In addition, he will supervise the Park Permits and Scheduling/Reservations Office and special projects as necessary for the Department.

Mr. Miller has a wealth of experience with the department having begun his career as a group worker and North District arts and crafts specialist more than 35 years ago. He holds a bachelor’s in Fine Arts and Printing/Painting from Virginia Commonwealth University, as well as a master’s in Urban/Regional Planning with a concentration in Park and Recreation Services Planning, from which he graduated with Phi Kappa Phi Honors. He is also a graduate of the National Recreation and Park Association’s Executive Leadership Course.