Known for her ability to build community with recreational programs, special events, and sussing out new opportunities for recreational growth, Pamela “Pam” Gery is coming home to Guilford, where she will begin her new role as the town’s next Parks and Recreation and Senior Center director.

First and foremost, Pam says she is stepping into some big shoes by succeeding her friend, Rick Maynard. On Monday, Jan. 29, Pam will take over the reins from Maynard, who led the way for Guilford for 32 years. Maynard completes a 45-year career in recreation with his retirement.

Fun fact: “Rick Maynard has not only been a colleague of mine, he’s my neighbor! We live on the same street,” says Pam.

Now, the two of them have something else in common: the quick commute that the proximity of their Guilford homes provides to the department offices at the Nathanael B. Greene Community Center at 32 Church Street.

Pam’s new commute to work will be quite a bit different from the hour or so that she’s has been traveling to her current role as Parks and Recreation Director for the Town of Darien.

Pam has been in the job in Darien for the past eight-and-a-half years. When she leaves Darien on Jan. 18, she’ll be leaving a community enriched by events that Pam introduced as its Parks and Recreation Director. They include Darien’s annual Old Fashioned Holiday event at Tilley Pond Park, Rocktoberfest, and Weed Beach Fest. With her team, Pam created nine, new annual pop-up events for the community.

“I just received an email from a town resident who wrote that she’s been in Darien for 20 years, and she’s never seen the town more vibrant” says Pam, speaking to the Guilford Courier last week. “That’s something that our team can reflect on—that we really brightened the life in Darien by creating new outlets.”

Pam says she’ll definitely be back to visit the new Weed Beach Meadow and Trail Project once it’s complete (anticipated for fall 2024). It was one of the first initiatives Pam introduced when joining the Town of Darien.

“I have been at that project since 2017 or 2018, and it is finally going to Planning and Zoning for approval [this week],” says Pam. “It is going to be a terrific project with an expanded beach and beautiful open space to enjoy.”

Prior to joining Darien, Pam was the director of the North Branford Parks and Recreation and Senior Center for 15 years, holding that role through 2015. During her tenure, she established the town’s annual Potato & Corn Festival (PoCo), dreamed up revenue-generating ideas like its Fitness Center, and guided the once-tiny department through two moves which eventually brought it to its present location at the Stanley T. Williams Community Center. She was only the second person to be hired for the North Branford role, following a director who retired after serving 35 years.

Pam arrived in North Branford with four years of experience heading up Westbrook’s Parks & Recreation Department. While she has made many impressive moves throughout her career, Pam says this move to Guilford is going to be her last. She plans to spend many years doing her best to benefit her hometown.

“It’s really full-circle. My first director position was in the town I grew up in, Westbrook. And now here I am, coming home,” says Pam. “It feels so good to say I know I’m going to retire here, in my hometown. I could not see my story ending any better.”

As a Guilford resident and mom of two—Chance Edwards, 24, and Gleeson Edwards, 25—Pam has had plenty of opportunities to get to know the great recreational resources, programs, and events that have been a hallmark of the town’s Parks and Recreation Department under Maynard’s leadership.

“I’ve taken many classes at the community center, and my kids grew up in the summer camp program, which was so valuable to me as a parent,” says Pam.

She’s also thrilled to be aligned, once again, with seniors in her work. Many of the seniors that Pam met while in her role with North Branford are still her friends.

“I’ve really missed that part of my job,” says Pam. “My personality is that I’m able to connect with people and make good friendships and collaborate with the community and the businesses. So, I’m super excited about that.”

Pam is also excited to be joining Guilford due to the great reputation that its Parks and Recreation and Senior Center programs enjoy.

“Guilford has one of the most stellar departments the state for parks and recreation and seniors,” says Pam. “They really shine.”