Press Release
May 07, 2007
For Release: Immediate
Press Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
518.486.1868
Commissioner Ash Announces Appointment of Rachel Gordon To New York City Regional Director Post
(Albany, New York, May 7, 2007) Carol Ash, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), today announced the appointment of Rachel Gordon as the Director of the New York City Region. As director, Gordon will oversee six state parks within the city.
"State parks in the New York City region are unique public properties," Ash said. "Rachel Gordon has a distinguished background in public policy and management. Her diverse experience working with the private sector will certainly be an asset to these special places."
Gordon is among the first appointments made by Ash as she builds the system's regional management team.
State Parks in each of the five boroughs offer diverse recreational and educational opportunities. OPRHP properties in the city include Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx, Empire Fulton Ferry State Park in Brooklyn, Riverbank State Park in Manhattan, Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve on Staten Island as well as Bayswater Point and Gantry Plaza State Parks in Queens.
Among the regional priorities identified by Ash are the development and continued greening of the former Eastern District Terminal Property in Brooklyn's Williamsburg waterfront area and strengthening valuable partnerships with New York City Parks, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, the Hudson River Park Trust, corporate partners and local community groups.
"State parks play a vital role in our urban communities as precious open spaces, recreation areas and cultural centers," said Ash. "These distinct facilities are an important component of the statewide system of parks and historic sites."
Gordon has more than 20 years of experience in the public sector, working both for the city of New York as well as the State. She also spent five years in television media as a host, writer and producer. Most recently, Gordon worked as a consultant with the New York City Commission for the United Nations.
Rachel Gordon is a graduate of NYU Law School and has bachelors degrees in Urban Affairs and Political Science from New York University.
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