Long Beach Announces Retirement of Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach announced today the retirement of its Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine Director Brent Dennis, who has served as Director since July 2020. Mr. Dennis holds a 47-year career in public service, beginning as an entry-level landscape architect, followed by several decades-long leadership roles in parks and recreation and community services spanning multiple cities and states.

"Brent is a true leader who brought to this role an undeniable culture of positivity, care and respect for our Parks Department and the valuable services we provide our community," said City Manager Tom Modica. "His leadership has left a lasting impact on our parks and recreation programs, our city organization and our Long Beach community. We appreciate him for his years of dedicated service and wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement."

As Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM), Mr. Dennis oversaw activities related to community recreation programs and services citywide, including more than 2,800 recreational and educational classes offered annually, as well as operations for Long Beach Animal Care Services supporting Long Beach and communities of Los Alamitos, Cerritos and Signal Hill. His team is responsible for the upkeep of 166 parks, 26 community centers, two historic sites (Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Cerritos), two major tennis centers, one of the busiest municipal golf systems in the country with five courses, and the largest municipally operated marina system in the nation and six miles of beaches.

During his tenure, Mr. Dennis championed park beautification and the importance of a healthy urban forest, encouraged positive activation of parks, and brought genuine collaborations throughout the community. He oversaw several impactful PRM initiatives, including new vision plans for Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Scherer Park, a citywide pickleball master plan, and feasibility studies for skateparks and a North Long Beach pool. Under his leadership, PRM also introduced the Park Ambassador Program and the creative and sustainable approach to illuminating the popular holiday trees in Alamitos Bay with solar-powered LED lighting.

This summer Mr. Dennis will conclude his outstanding career standing alongside City leaders and community partners as the City celebrates the completion of major renovations and enhancements at multiple Long Beach parks - El Dorado Park West, El Dorado East Regional Park, Bixby Park and Bandshell, and MacArthur Park. Ribbon cutting events will take place the week of July 21-26.

"After an unforgettable five years in Long Beach, it is with bittersweet emotions that I announce my retirement and begin my next chapter," said Dennis. "My coining the title of our team as the 'Department of Fun and Furry Friends,' is more indicative of the culture I tried to help shape over time - striving each day to ensure our parks, beaches, marinas and recreational facilities are safe, clean, welcoming and beautiful for our community. During my time in Long Beach, many trees were planted, exciting new playgrounds and park amenities added, and a new respect for the spirit of responsiveness attributed to our passionate professionals and volunteers who proudly serve the Long Beach community."

Mr. Dennis began his 47-year career in public service in Columbus, Ohio for the city's parks department where he was an entry level landscape architect, graduating from Ohio State University. His professional journey to Long Beach included significant leadership roles in Grand Rapids, Mich. at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, City of Anaheim Community Services Department, and the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department.

Mr. Dennis is an avid art collector and has donated many of his original paintings to support local nonprofits. During his retirement, he plans to move to Buckeye, Ariz., travel, spend time with family, and focus on his passions for painting, gardening and volunteering.

Mr. Dennis' last day in active service as Director is Aug. 8, 2025, with his formal retirement on Sept. 7. Stephen Scott, Deputy Director, will serve as Acting Director while the City conducts a national recruitment to permanently fill the position, which is anticipated to be concluded before the end of the year.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine is available at longbeach.gov/park and on Facebook and Instagram.

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