Milton Hires Parks and Recreation Director Away from Florida City

Milton City Manager Chris Lagerbloom announced on Tuesday, July 26 that Doral, Fla.'s John Rebar has been hired as the new director of Parks and Recreation.

Rebar, who served in Doral for just under four years, will start with the city Aug. 15, according to a news release from Communications Manager Jason Wright. He will replace outgoing Director Cyndee Bonacci, who left the post to spend more time with her family.

Rebar had previously lived in the Atlanta area and jumped at the chance to move back.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to join the team in the City of Milton," Rebar said. "Being part of a young city provides the unique opportunity of having a role in shaping a city's future."

Doral incorporated in 2003, just three years before Milton became a city, according to its Web site. It is one of 34 municipalities in Miama-Dade County, Fla. The city of 36,000 has similarities to Milton's neighbor, Alpharetta, with more than 100,000 people working in the city.

At Doral, Rebar oversaw a system of parks and programs while managing a staff and the department's budget. He will be particularly vital to Milton's efforts because of his experience in completing parks system master plans, negotiating joint-use agreements with private and public schools, guiding parks from county to city control, and building programs and events from scratch, said Lagerbloom.

"John Rebar is a natural fit for Milton because he's been through the specific and intricate planning and programming issues we deal with every day," said Lagerbloom. "He joined Doral, which, like Milton, was only four years old at the time, and built an award-winning system of parks and programs."

Lagerbloom said he is confident that Rebar will bring his success to Milton and capitalize on the progress made uner Bonacci's tenure.

"The City of Milton Parks and Recreation Department has tremendous potential, and I think we've just scratched the surface of what we are capable of achieving," Lagerbloom said. "I am looking forward to seeing where John will lead us."

Rebar started his career in 2002 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In five years he rose through local government ranks to department director, eventually turning Doral's young parks system into a powerhouse recognized at state and local levels for accomplishment.

Rebar received his bachelor's in health and physical education from Marrywood College of Scranton, Pa., in 1996. Five years later he earned a master's in teaching and learning from Nova Southeastern University of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Rebar is completing a master's in public administration from Florida International University and is a seven-year member of the National and Florida Parks and Recreation associations.

"I am eager to be involved in the planning and development of a parks system that will both reflect and enhance the quality of life the residents of Milton have come to expect," said Rebar. "I can't wait to move forward with a system of parks, programming and events that are sustainable and provide recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities."