Arnyce Foster-Hernandez, a veteran of the New York City parks department, has been named as North Hempstead Parks and Recreation Department commissioner.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Town of North Hempstead and its residents,” she said.
Foster-Hernandez has worked in various roles in the New York City parks and recreation district services field for 25 years. Most recently, she has spent the last five years as the Historic Harlem Parks administrator, where she advanced the public-private entity through fundraising, relations with government officials and work with community volunteers, according to her LinkedIn profile. As a result of those efforts, she and her staff raised over $250,000.
“Arnyce’s extensive professional experience developing and maintaining a high standard of park programming and special events for the city’s park patrons will be a welcome addition to our town’s park system,” Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said Monday.
Foster-Hernandez, a native of Harlem, began her work with New York City parks as a teenager by spearheading efforts for youth, teen and adult programs for the 59th Street Recreation Center. During her 10 years of work, she spearheaded events that raised $17 million for the center and increased facility membership from 100 members to 25,000.
Now, after receiving a Master’s in Business Administration from Louisiana State University this year, she will oversee a department that has over 50 parks and 300 part-time and full-time staff members.
“I will use my 30 years of experience to provide happy, fun and healthy recreational activities while working toward operational efficiency,” she said.
Foster-Hernandez will take over a position that has been left vacant since the departure of Jill Weber in early July. She served as the parks commissioner for four and a half years. The hire will mark the second consecutive female commissioner whose park experience began in New York City.
Bosworth cited Foster-Hernandez’s city experience, saying, “Her impressive ability to manage hundreds of New York City Parks employees will serve her well here in the Town of North Hempstead. I look forward to working with her and see what wonderful ideas she has for our residents.”
Foster-Hernandez will begin her tenure as parks commissioner on Monday.
