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

Administrative Division

Kate Mattison, CPRP, Director
Michael Graham, Deputy Director
Julie Butler Colombini, Marketing/Communications Manager
Shannon Jones, Senior Secretary
Janice Teems, Financial Coordinator
Judy Williams, Administrative Coordinator

Parks and Facilities Division

Brian Peters, Parks and Facility Services Division Manager

Parks Staff

Alan Cline, Assistant Parks Maintenance Supervisor
Joseph Beck
Chris Bruce
Jason Heffner
Kyle Hewell
Wazim Khan
Sonny Neal
Daniel Ramirez
Brian Rodriguez
Alex Smith
David Tyre
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 Division

Eason Spivey, Division Manager
Steve Woods, Athletic Program Manager
Sadie Foote,  Athletic Program Manager
Sam Ballinger, Recreation Program Manager

Frances Meadows Center Division

Zandrea Stephens, Division Manager
Michael Williams, Facility Operations Manager
Ron Portillo, Facility Operations Supervisor
Jennifer Hill, Interim Aquatics Manager
Sheila Curry, Administrative Coordinator
Crystal Tavares, Lanier Aquatics Swim Coach
David Menchinger, Lanier Aquatics Swim Coach
Eric Larsen, Concessions Manager
Jennifer Salisbury, Senior Secretary
Cailean Bice-Bey, Head Lifeguard
Antonio Hunt, Guest Services Coordinator