Parks, Trails, & Recreation Committee

Meetings

  • 4:30 p.m.
  • Second Thursday of each month
  • City Hall, Conference Room A
    131 Church Street
    Belfast, ME 04915

Members: 9 Members/3 Year Terms

  • Gabriel Cohen
    Term Expires: July 1, 2026
  • Frances McCoy
    Term Expires: July 1, 2028
  • Katia Chambers
    Term Expires: July 1, 2028
  • Stephanie Wittrock
    Term Expires: July 1, 2027
  • Haley Stearns, Secretary
    Term Expires: July 1, 2026
  • Sasha Breus
    Term Expires: July 1, 2027
  • David Aguiar, Chair
    Term Expires: July 1, 2026
  • Becky Nightingale Johns
    Term Expires: July 1, 2027
  • Alex Terry, Alternate
    Term Expires: July 1, 2028
  • Mary Mortier, Ward 1 Councilor


History

Belfast’s parks system is well known and long standing. Community volunteers and a Parks and Recreation committee, which in 1971 became a Commission, carried out the activities and maintenance of the parks. In 2004 the Commission and City Council successfully advocated for a paid staff member to oversee the increasing number of parks and activities.

In 2024, the City worked to re-align its committees to ensure membership and operating protocols were similar across the groups.  During the Parks and Recreation ordinance updates in the fall, the Commission was re-titled as the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee, to better align the work that it does and the facilities that it oversees.

The Parks, Trails, and Recreation Commission is a nine (9) member group of volunteers, appointed by City Council for a three-year staggered term, who meet monthly and work closely with the Director of Parks and Recreation. In addition to their work in establishing, maintaining and improving city parks and green spaces, the Committee makes recommendations for budgeting and policy to the City Council. The Committee also supports recreational activities of other local organizations.