The board of commissioners that oversees Recreation District 1 and Pelican Park hopes to have a new executive director at the helm of the sprawling public sports and recreation complex by May 1.
In January, the board parted ways with executive director Jennifer Dexter, who had taken the job less than a year earlier. "It just wasn't the right fit," board Commissioner Rick Danielson said, offering no details.
Dexter, who has since moved on to a position as executive officer with the Northshore Homebuilder's Association, said in her job was executive director of the big park, she was driven by her commitment to do what was best for it. And while her vision did not match exactly with that of some board members, Dexter believes she held herself to the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and dedication during her tenure at Pelican Park.
Since Dexter's departure, assistant directors Kia Knight and Doug McLemore have functioned as interim co-executive directors, Danielson said.
As it began its search for a new park director, he said the board sought guidance from the National Recreation and Park Association, and the result has been an impressive applicant pool.
The board is expected to discuss the search at its meeting in late March.
“We’ve received many applications, and we’re very excited about the candidates,” said Danielson, who also serves as an at-large member of the Mandeville City Council.
The new director will be the fourth to take the helm of what began in 1990 as a 50-acre playground with a gym just east of Mandeville. It has since evolved into a 550-acre sports and leisure mecca with 32 athletic fields, multiple gymnasiums, a dog park, pickleball courts, miles of paved roadways and a 46,000-square-foot events center, and other amenities.
It is operated by Recreation District 1, a free-standing agency governed by a seven-member board of commissioners. The recreation district operates on an annual budget of about $5 million funded by a property tax paid by residents living in the district, which includes Mandeville and surrounding areas.
Kathy Foley ran the park for 30 years before retiring in 2020. She was replaced by Margie Lewis, who held the reins for three years before leaving for a job in her home state of Pennsylvania.
Dexter replaced Lewis in February 2023, holding the job for less than a year.