Lancaster parks director resigns

LANCASTER — Lancaster's Parks & Recreation superintendent Steve Gayfield is leaving his position to accept another position in Louisiana. The resignation will be effective sometime in mid-November.

"I have enjoyed working with each and every one of you, please continue the good work you do here into the future," Gayfield wrote in an email sent to members of city council's Public Service & Administration Committee. "Thanks again for everything you do for the city and the help you have given me."

Lancaster's park system consists of 641 acres and includes Alley Park, Rising Park and Olivedale Senior Center and two outdoor pools.

"Steve has been a great asset to our city, and our community in general, and the Parks & Recreation department and Tree Commission specifically," wrote Lancaster Mayor Dave Smith announcing the resignation in an email to city officials. "As he has showed his talents so much that he was noticed by other such departments and one of them is now the lucky recipient of those talents."

Gayfield came to Lancaster in 2012 from Mason's park system, which included 301 acres of developed parks, a community center and an outdoor pool. Gayfield earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Missouri State University, with a minor in anthropology. He has more than 20 years of parks and recreation experience, including positions at federal, state, county and municipal levels, in Ohio, Texas and Missouri, according to his resume.

"As I have worked with Steve, he has showed great professionalism in his job working with his staff, the residents and other city departments — at the same time was a lot of fun to be around," wrote Smith. "His fiscal awareness was also very keen in working with the limited monies available to his departments and understanding the sense of priorities between people, equipment and activities for the public."

Gayfield will be missed, said Lancaster city councilwoman Becky Tener, R-6th Ward, who chairs the council's Public Service & Administration Committee.

"He's done a lot for the city parks and trees in the city during the years he's been here," Tener said. "He has brought in some new programs as superintendent."

Tener also said Gayfield was very responsive to the public and city council members when issues came up.

"He was one of the most approachable people you'd ever meet," Tener said.

Picking a replacement will be in the hands of the Lancaster Parks & Recreation Board, which is chaired by Lancaster attorney Judy Edwards.

"It was sudden and it's a disappointment for the whole department. We are going to miss Steve," Edwards said. "He received a fantastic offer from a Louisiana parish."

Edwards said the Parks Board is working with the city administration to begin the search for Gayfield's replacement. Edwards said she expected a nationwide search to begin looking for his replacement. When Gayfield was selected, the board received 38 applications for the position. When Gayfield was hired it came with a $60,000 salary and use of the superintendent's house, along with benefits in line with Lancaster's city supervisors.

Edwards said the parks department had a "great staff that works well together." She said the staff will be able to run the department if there is a gap between Gayfield's departure and the hiring of a new superintendent.

"The Parks Board will have its work cut out to find a worthy replacement for Steve," said Smith.

cburnett@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4346

Twitter: @CarlBurnettJr