After 43 years of serving the Great Neck Park District, Superintendent Peter Renick will be retiring in December.
“There is not one inch of the Great Neck Park District that has not been affected by Peter Renick, from the day he began working here in 1972 as a skate rink guard through the end of his career with us this month as our superintendent,” according to a press release from the Park District announcing Renick’s retirement.
Renick began his service to the Park District in 1972, and has been involved with the parks ever since.
“Peter has been a terrific employee and superintendent,” said Park District commissioner Robert Lincoln. “He started as a skate guard and worked his way from a part time skate all the way up to the top, to the superintendent position. Those are tough shoes to fill.”
He has worn many different hats, acting in both hands on roles as well as administrative positions, from his skate instructor beginnings and maintenance crew to assistant superintendent.
“He knows where every light switch is where all the water valves are, he knows all the programs inside and out,” said park district Commissioner Robert Lincoln.
Eventually, Renick became the acting park district superintendent in 2012, following the resignation of former Superintendent, Leonard Celluro Jr. Renick became superintendent in 2013.
“Peter was absolutely outstanding in his performance and his dedication through the entire period as the acting superintendent,” said Lincoln, in 2013.
Renick dedicated most of his time to the parks department throughout the years, even spending time on weekends and when help was needed most, according to the district press release.
“He always protected the employees, residents and assets of the Park District,” the release said. “He didn’t miss a beat when called to action to lead the Park District trough natural disasters.”
During his time with the district, Renick assisted residents during times of need including hurricanes Gloria and Irene, Superstorm Sandy, and the east coast blackout.
In their press release, the parks district said they are truly proud of his many accomplishments, and they were lucky to have Renick devote over 40 years of service to the parks.
Renick declined to publically comment on his retirement.
In an interview with the Great Neck News in 2012, Renick said he felt a strong connection to the local parks.
“I grew up in Great Neck. My father was a captain at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, so I grew up one house away from the park. I used all (of Great Neck’s) parks. That’s why I love the parks,” he said.
“Basically over that time,” Renick said in 2012, “I have done every job in the park district.”
The park Ddistrict’s Board of Commissioners is currently in the process of reviewing applications for the next superintendent.
“Fortunately, we have a good staff and he’s prepared them,” Lincoln said. “We will continue, but it will take us a while for us to get back to where we were [with him].”
