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Politics & Government

Takoma Park Recreation Director to Take Year off While Deciding Her Next Venture

Haiduven will move with her family to North Carolina.

Debra Haiduven, Takoma Park’s recreation director since 2001 who is set to leave that position in July, said she plans to move to North Carolina with her family and take a year off as she decides what she will do next.

“I am excited about starting a new venture in North Carolina outside of Chapel Hill, where my family is moving this summer,” Haiduven said in a written statement. “I plan to take a year off and decide what is next for me. Perhaps I will start a business and/or learn to live more simply in a sustainable way on our 15-acre site.”

Haiduven tendered her resignation on May 3, 2011, but she will remain in the position until July. City officials have begun the initial steps to find a new director to lead the Recreation Department.

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 Haiduven said it was difficult to decide to leave the position. “My decision to leave Takoma Park was a difficult one because I feel that the Recreation Department is at the pinnacle of success,” she said. The recreation staff “is the strongest, most competent group and I will miss them dearly. I believe that the youth in this community benefit the most from our efforts, but feel strongly that all ages need recreation and leisure.”

“What I will miss most are the kids who come and sit in my office and tell me what is up in their lives,” she said. “Some of them came back years later to thank me for helping them get through high school with a job, emotional support or just for listening,” she said, adding, Those “are the rewards that I cherish the most. I am confident that the strong foundation that we have built together will nurture the heart and soul of this community for decades to come.”

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Haiduven said during her tenure as recreation director, there has been “a major shift in the public perception of the Recreation Department,” and she is “gratified by the tremendous feedback” from the community. In addition, she is “proud of the work that the Recreation Department has done and the impact we have had on countless lives.” The Recreation Department’s “accomplishments can be attributed to a hard working staff, fiscal responsibility, listening to the community and a commitment to our mission,” she said. Accomplishments she is “particularly proud of” are:  

Getting the new Community Center programming up and running. Those programs have helped turn it into “a bustling center of activity for the whole community. People of all ages are learning, creating, exercising and playing like never before.”

Being part of the process to build a skate park at the Piney Branch Neighborhood Park. The effort was done “in cooperation with Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission.”

Revitalizing the New Hampshire Avenue Recreation Center into a true neighborhood-gathering place. “When I first arrived, it had a negative reputation and various staffing issues.”

The utilization of hundreds of volunteers in the community to efficiently provide more services and programs.

Partnering with the Recreation Committee to bring a winter basketball league to Takoma Park that had 600 participants this year.

That kids and teens flocked to the recreation office, department and community centers because they are drawn to the staff, which has demonstrated an incredible dedication to the youths.

The department's financial health has been a primary focus. “I have managed a tight ship and take the stewardship of the taxpayer’s money as a serious responsibility. The addition of a variety of new programs have been supported by the community and the City Council, (and), revenues have increased as a result of a higher customer satisfaction/participation.”

That the senior program has blossomed into a huge success attracting hundreds of seniors.

That the Afternoon Addition before and after school program is the best in the area, so much so that it usually has a waiting list.

That teenagers are learning the importance of volunteering and what it is like to be a part of the larger community.

Haiduven’s statement includes praise for City Manager Barb Matthews, saying the new recreation director will have the “opportunity to work with an outstanding city manger” and that Matthews “has played a major role in the development of a strong, positive and vital department.”

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