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Atlantic City Hires Parks and Recreation Director
City Council approves new position to oversee parks system after previous cuts.
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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The Atlantic City Council has approved the hiring of a new Parks and Recreation Director, a position that was eliminated in 2023 to reallocate resources elsewhere. City Administrator John Lund says the city can afford the market-rate salary of $74,700 for the role, and Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Chairman Kevin Ferguson believes this is a positive step to address the needs of the city's nearly 250 acres of parks. Councilman Mike McDermott and Councilperson Elaine expressed support for the decision, which comes after public feedback during the city's comprehensive plan review.
Why it matters
The creation of a dedicated Parks and Recreation Director role signals Atlantic City's commitment to maintaining and improving its public green spaces after previously cutting the position. This move responds to community feedback and aims to better manage the city's extensive park system.
The details
Atlantic City eliminated the Parks and Recreation Director position in 2023 to reallocate labor resources elsewhere, but the Mayor, Council, and public have now made it clear they want the role reinstated. City Administrator John Lund says the city can afford the market-rate salary of $74,700 for the position, assuming the 2% cap on new property tax dollars is implemented and other fiscal conditions are met. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Chairman Kevin Ferguson believes this is a positive step, as the current short-staffed team has struggled to maintain the nearly 250 acres of parks.
- The Atlantic City Council approved the hiring of a Parks and Recreation Director on February 18, 2026.
- The Parks and Recreation Director position was eliminated in late summer 2023.
The players
John Lund
The Atlantic City Administrator who stated the city can afford the market-rate salary for the Parks and Recreation Director position.
Kevin Ferguson
The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Chairman who says this is a positive step for the parks system.
Mike McDermott
An Atlantic City Councilman who thanked the Personnel and Finance Commission for reallocating funds to open up the budget for hiring a Parks and Recreation Director.
Elaine
An Atlantic City Councilperson who explained the decision came after public feedback during the review of the city's comprehensive plan.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
What’s next
Atlantic City Administrator John Lund will post the Parks and Recreation Director position on Thursday and expects to keep the application window open for approximately two weeks.
The takeaway
The reinstatement of the Parks and Recreation Director role in Atlantic City demonstrates the city's commitment to maintaining and improving its public green spaces in response to community feedback and the need to better manage the extensive park system.
