Martin Maher (parks commissioner)

Brooklyn Parks Commissioner

Martin Maher

Brooklyn Parks Commissioner

Incumbent

Assumed office
February 2017
Appointed by| Mitchell Silver
Personal details
Born|

Martin Maher

Nationality| American
Occupation| Brooklyn Parks Borough Commissioner
Nickname| Marty Maher

Martin "Marty" Maher is the Brooklyn Parks Commissioner for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, assuming the office in 2017.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

## Career

[edit]

Maher is a 27-year veteran of the Coast Guard and served in the Persian Gulf War.[3] He achieved the rank of boatswain's mate. For over 45 years, Maher has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America.[3]

### New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

[edit]

Maher began his career in the Parks department as an Urban Park Ranger.[7] Additionally, Maher worked in a spectrum of different positions with-in the department from manager at Coney Island, to inspector at Shea Stadium, to Yankee Stadium, to the 79th Street Boat Basin, and Randall's Island.[3][7] Before being appointed the Brooklyn Parks Commissioner, Maher served as chief of staff for 18 years in the Parks Department's Brooklyn office.[3] Since assuming the commissioner's office in 2017, Maher has opened and renovated parks throughout Brooklyn.[8]

#### Brooklyn Parks Commissioner

[edit]

In February, 2017 Maher was appointed Brooklyn Parks Commissioner by New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver.[5][9]

##### Skatepark advocacy

[edit]

Maher is a proponent of skateparks and actions sports.[7][10] He believes there should be a skatepark in every community in Brooklyn.[7] As of December 2020, Brooklyn has 15 public skateparks, with 4 additional skateparks in the works.[7] In the late 2010s, Maher worked with a community group in Brownsville, Brooklyn, led by local professional skateboarder Wade Yates, to fund a skatepark built by Spohn Ranch in Betsy Head Park.[11] Maher initiated the Skatefest event series, hosted by the Parks Department.[12][7] Skate Fest II took place at Ocean Hill Playground in Brownsville.[13][10]

Loren Michelle, mother of late skateboarder Pablo Ramirez watches and claps as ESPO aka Stephen Powers and Martin Maher shake hands at Goldonda Playground - October, 2021. Martin Maher Loren Michelle talk at Golconda - Pablo Ramirez Foundation

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "CHECKIN' IN WITH: NEW BROOKLYN PARKS COMMISSIONER MARTIN MAHER". www.brooklynpaper.com. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
2. ^ DeJesus, Jaime (2017-10-06). "Bensonhurst celebrates renovation of new Seth Low Playground". The Brooklyn Home Reporter. Retrieved 2019-11-24.
3. ^ a b c d e Kearns, Patrick. "Longtime parks employee moves to top Brooklyn position". Queens Ledger.
4. ^ "Community Leaders Break Ground On The $2.75 Million Dome Playground Renovation". BKLYNER. 2015-04-27. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
5. ^ a b Wong, Pamela (2019-09-20). "Fort Greene Honors Jazz Legend Betty Carter". BKLYNER. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
6. ^ Fang, Benjamin (May 22, 2019). "Martin Maher, Brooklyn Parks Commissioner". Queens Ledger.
7. ^ a b c d e f Clarke, Ian (Dec 2020). "Marty Maher Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Interview by Ian Clarke of the NYC Skateboard Coalition". Juice Magazine. 77: 110–111.
8. ^ Akceylan, Suzanne (2023-06-16). "NYC Parks Officially Opens $5.4M in renovations to Bath Beach playground". Brooklyn Eagle. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
9. ^ DeJesus, Jaime (2021-08-20). "Over $30 million in investments to be made in 11 South Brooklyn parks". The Brooklyn Home Reporter. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
10. ^ a b Zagare, Liena (2017-11-01). "Want A Cool Skate Park In Red Hook? Parks Department Wants Your Input". Bklyner. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
11. ^ "Betsy Head Skatepark in Brooklyn, New York Nears Completion | Spohn Ranch". www.spohnranch.com. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
12. ^ "SKATE FEST II". Harold Hunter Foundation. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
13. ^ "Eventful: Brooklyn Skatefest 2 at Ocean Hill Playground". Eventful. Retrieved 2020-12-20.

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