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

For the West Point soldier, see Martin Maher (soldier).

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

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Maher is a 27-year veteran of the Coast Guard and served in the Persian Gulf War.[3] He served as a 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

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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

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

##### Skatepark advocacy

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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

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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.