About Us

Message from Our Director

Gainesville Parks and Recreation strives to make a positive impact through our facilities and programs. Focusing on five areas of impact; community, youth, health, environment, and economic, Parks and Recreation plays a vital role within the City of Gainesville.

Thank you for your continued support and participation in our programs. This is an exciting time for the City and Gainesville Parks and Recreation, and we are proud to be a part of it. We strive to respond to the ever-changing and growing needs of the Gainesville community. We offer more than 2,500 programs annually for participants of all ages; operate major facilities including Frances Meadows Aquatic Center, Gainesville Civic Center and Lanier Point Athletic Complex; and maintain 21 parks so our citizens and visitors can enjoy the great outdoors.

As we look toward the future, Gainesville Parks and Recreation is committed to our mission of improving quality of life for our citizens. We have begun implementation on our 2030 Parks, Trails and Opens Spaces Master Plan that was developed with significant citizen input.

Please join us for a program, special event, workout, or just a walk in a park. Live. Work. Play. Gainesville.

Our Staff

Administration

Kate Mattison, CPRP, Director
Michael Graham, Deputy Director
Julie Butler Colombini, Marketing Manager
Eric Larsen, Special Projects Manager
Janice Teems, Financial Manager
Judy Williams, Administrative Manager
Shannon Jones, Senior Customer Service Representative

Parks and Facilities Divisions

Brian Peters, Division Manager

Parks Staff

David Tyre, Parks and Projects Manager
Alan Cline, Landscape and Turf Manager
Chris Beck
Joseph Beck
Anthony Fell
Jason Heffner
Kip Hewell
Kyle Hewell
Jaden Neal
Daniel Ramirez
Bryan Rodriguez
Victor Quiroz
Alex Smith
Randall White

Facility Services Staff

Carrie Gravett, Facility Services Manager
Ron Arro, Facility Operations Manager
Aaron Barnett, Operations Manager
Staci Butts, Stagehand One
Cathy Poole, Custodian

Recreation and Frances Meadows Divisions

Eason Spivey, Division Manager

Recreation Staff
Steve Woods, Athletic Program Manager
Jake Grindle,  Athletic Program Manager
Freddie Hernandez, Athletic Program Coordinator
Britteny Hammonds, Recreation Program Manager
Kenesha Cooper, Recreation Program Coordinator

Frances Meadows Center Staff

Sheila Curry, Assistant Division Manager
Michael Busenlehner, Facility Operations Manager
Justin Latoni, Aquatics Manager
Chris Bruce, Operations Supervisor
Jada Johnson, Senior Customer Service Representative
Crystal Tavares, Lanier Aquatics Swim Coach
David Menchinger, Lanier Aquatics Swim Coach
Eric Larsen, Concessions Manager
Maury McKinney, Head Lifeguard
Antonio Hunt, Guest Services Coordinator
Patrick Stringer, Manager On Duty