CONNECT with the CityDepartment Organizational Structure
Vision: To connect all to the City of San Diego's diverse, world-class park system.
Mission: To provide healthy, sustainable, and enriching environments for all.
Andy Field
Director
619-235-1110
Karen Dennison
Assistant Director
619-235-1188
Tom Tomlinson
Assistant Director
619-533-3187
Address
City of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation
2125 Park Boulevard, MS 39
San Diego, CA 92101
Email - AskParks@sandiego.gov
Parks and Recreation Department Organization Chart (Revised April 2025)
Administrative Services Division
Louis Merlin
Deputy Director
619-235-5913
Rosa Abrego
Assistant Deputy Director
619-840-9939
Key Services:
- Administrative Services
- Human Resources
- Information Systems Management
- Safety
- Training
- Volunteer Program
Administrative Services Division: Asset Management, Capital Projects, and Grants Section
Michelle Abella-Shon
Program Manager
619-964-7670
Ryan Barbrick
Program Manager
619-235-1185
Key Services:
- Asset Management
- Capital Grants Program
- Capital Improvements Program – Design Review, Finance, Project Scoping
- Five-Year Capital Outlook
- Geographic Information Systems
- Landscape Architecture
- Parks and Recreation Board Liaison
- Park Design Review and Plan Check
- Small Project Delivery
- Unfunded Park Improvements
Administrative Services Division: Fiscal Operations Section
Vacant
Program Manager
Key Services:
- Budget Development and Monitoring
- Financial Operations
- Records Retention
Division Profile Coming Soon
Jon Richards
Deputy Director
619-433-2697
Key Services:
- Balboa Park Maintenance
- Balboa Park Operations including leaseholder relations
- Permit Center and Special Events for Balboa Park, Mission Bay Park, Shoreline Parks, and other regional parks
- Presidio Park Operations and Maintenance
- Stakeholder Relations
Citywide Park Maintenance Services Division
Division Profile Coming Soon
Victor Nava
Deputy Director
619-980-0659
Key Services:
- Agronomy, Turf Care, Mowing, and Sweeping
- Aquatic Feature Repair
- Coastal Area Compliance
- Equipment Repair
- Get It Done Implementation
- Irrigation Repair
- Park Arborist and Tree Care
- Pesticide Application
- Playground Repair
- Storm Water Compliance
- Support Services
- Water Conservation
Steve Palle
Deputy Director
619-235-1103
Key Services:
- Park Operations and Maintenance for Council Districts 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7
- Neighborhood, Community, and Mini Parks
- Recreation Centers
- Joint Use Operations
- Downtown Parks and Civic Center Complex
- Naval Training Center Park
Vacant
Deputy Director
619-525-8221
Nicole McNeil
Assistant Deputy Director
619-917-9553
Key Services:
- Park Operations and Maintenance for Council Districts 3, 4, 8, and 9
- Neighborhood, Community, and Mini Parks
- Recreation Centers
- Joint Use Operations
- Animal Services
- Aquatics Citywide
- Mount Hope Cemetery
- Sports Leagues Citywide
Mission Bay and Shoreline Parks Division
Division Profile Coming Soon
Patrick Hadley
Interim Deputy Director
619-235-5923
Key Services:
- Beach Mechanized Maintenance
- Shoreline Park
- Operations
- Maintenance
- Mission Bay Park
- Events
- Maintenance
- Operations
- Navigational and Safety Buoy Repair and Replacement
John Howard
Deputy Director
858-552-1785
Tim Graham
Assistant Deputy Director
858-552-1634
Devin Cullen
Senior Golf Course Superintendent: Torrey Pines
858-552-1611
Wayne Carpenter
Senior Golf Course Superintendent: Balboa Park and Mission Bay
858-552-1183 / 619-235-1183
Key Services:
- Management of the City's Municipal Golf Courses at Torrey Pines, Balboa Park, and Mission Bay
- Operations, programs, and events at the City Golf Courses
Open Space Division Profile
Maintenance Assessment Districts (MADs) Section Profile
Erika Ferreira
Deputy Director
619-685-1323
Michael Jones
Assistant Deputy Director, MADs
619-685-1307
Key Services:
- Brush Management of City-Owned Open Space
- Citywide Open Space Coordination and Maintenance
- Gas Tax Street Median Maintenance Program
- Maintenance Assessment Districts (MADs): Enhanced public landscaping and beautification along streets and in parks
- Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) and Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Program (VPHCP) Compliance
- Open Space Regional Parks and Park Ranger Program:
- Black Mountain Open Space
- Chollas Creek Watershed Park including Chollas Lake
- Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve
- Mission Trails Regional Park
- Otay Valley Regional Park
- San Diego River Park
- Tri-Canyon, including Tecolote, Marian Bear, Mission Valley Preserve, and Rose Canyon
- Urban Canyons
Division Profile Coming Soon
Michael Ruiz
Deputy Director/Chief Park Ranger
619-235-1153
Key Services:
- Park Ranger Units:
- Balboa Park, Chicano Park, Downtown Parks, Presidio Park
- Community and Neighborhood Parks
- Mission Bay Park
- Shoreline Parks and Beaches
- Emergency Response
- Sidewalk Vending and Expressive Activity
Citywide Recreation Services Division
Sarah Erazo
Deputy Director
619-525-8211
Salome Martinez
Program Manager
619-613-7488
Key Services:
- Age Well Services
- Civic Dance Arts
- Come Play Outside and Parks After Dark Coordination
- Community Recreation Groups
- Recreation Center Funds
- Recreation Equity
- Recreation Programming and Events
- Special Use Permits
- Therapeutic Recreation Services