May 1, 2009
Paul Hudson, the first - and only - director of
parks & recreation for the city of Williamsburg, will retire this summer
after 40 years of service. His retirement will be effective August 1,
2009. No successor has been named.
He was hired in July 1969 by a community committee led by then City
Manager Frank Force, Hugh DeSamper (Colonial Williamsburg Foundation),
Col. Walter Reilly (New York Life Insurance) and Dudley Jensen (The
College of William & Mary). Their mandate was to create a parks and
recreation department that would serve residents of the city and James
City County.
A graduate of North Carolina State University, Hudson was working in
Charlottesville before he came to Williamsburg as both director and the
only employee in the department.
“When I accepted the new position in Williamsburg I had intended to
set things up, stay five years, and move on. I didn’t expect it to end
up being two thirds of my life, but this is my home,” said Hudson.
“It isn’t easy to say goodbye, but I feel comfortable in my mind
that after 40 years I’ve been able to create a department and
facilities we can all be proud of. I’ve always strived to do better,
and like a good coach I’ve surrounded myself with an incredible staff.
I’m leaving things in excellent hands.”
When Hudson began in 1969, the city had only one park - Kiwanis Park.
Hudson’s first athletic programs began January 1970 with youth and
adult basketball. They played at Bruton Heights School and Queen Lake
Intermediate School because there were no municipal facilities. Four
decades later, the Parks and Recreation Department of Williamsburg
offers dozens of youth and adult programs, classes, clinics and league
play year-round; and includes more than 1850 acres of parks and
playgrounds: Kiwanis Municipal Park (the city’s first municipal park);
Bicentennial Park; College Landing Park ; Highland Park Community Park;
Municipal Tennis Courts; Quarterpath Park, Pool and Recreation Center;
Redoubt Park; Wales Park; Strawberry Plains Park; Waller Mill Park and
Waller Mill Dog Park.
“For so many years, Paul Hudson has been synonymous with the parks &
recreation department. He built it from the ground up and has had a
tremendous impact on Williamsburg” said Mayor Jeanne Zeidler. “From
his first days at the city, Paul’s community spirit, devotion to
residents of all ages, and commitment to a safe, beautiful and thriving
parks and recreation department have changed the lives of generations of
residents. His legacy will continue for a long time to come.”
Hudson lives in Lanexa with his wife, Sharon, his African Grey Parrot,
Lil Bit, and cat, Moses. His daughter and grandson live in Franklin,
Virginia; and his son is stationed with the Air Force in New Mexico.
Contact: Kate Hoving, Phone: (757) 220.6197
E-mail: khoving@williamsburgva.gov
