By Tamas Mondovics
Hillsborough County welcomed Dale “Doc” Dougherty this month as the new Parks and Recreation Department director.
Dougherty, who brings more than 20 years of experience in both public administration and private enterprise leading three different parks and recreation departments through change, is replacing interim department head, Forest Turbiville.
County officials said that as Parks and Recreation director, Dougherty will oversee a $27.3 million budget and a staff of more than 200 full-time employees. Dougherty comes to Hillsborough County from Macon-Bibb County in Georgia, where he has served as director of Parks and Recreation for the last five years.
He previously served as executive director at the Walterboro-Colleton Recreation Commission in Walterboro, SC; consulted at the University of Notre Dame on land conservation financing; and was director of community affairs with the Town of Lake Park, Fla.
Officials said that Dougherty’s accomplishments include developing and revitalizing new and existing athletic programs, creating a multimillion dollar redevelopment plan for amenities, and restructuring the grounds division for greater efficiency.
As head of PRC, Dougherty will also oversee the continued programming and services at the County’s 51 recreation centers, seven gymnasiums, seven fitness centers, three skate parks, therapeutic equestrian center, 1,200 acres of open space, tennis and basketball courts, walking paths, and playgrounds that offer active and passive recreation at 104 non-programmed neighborhood parks.
The PRC provides a wide range of recreational opportunities for Hillsborough County residents of all ages and abilities.
“Developing a master plan for Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation will be a top priority for Dougherty,” said Adrienne Frucci in a recent press release.
Dougherty earned his Master’s in business administration from the University of Notre Dame, a Master’s of sports science from the United States Sports Academy, and received his Bachelor of Science in health care management from King’s College. Additionally, Dougherty is a Certified Parks and Recreation Executive.
As a professor at Middle Georgia State University, Dougherty taught business management and sports facility management classes. For more information, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org.
