Sarah Madland, a longtime city employee and administrator in the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, has been named its new general manager by Mayor Daniel Lurie.
She was selected after a national search that identified 106 applicants, according to Rec and Parks Commission President Kat Anderson, who led the search. The field was narrowed to 15, and then five finalists were interviewed by the full Rec and Parks Commission in closed session April 17. Three names were submitted to Lurie, who made the selection.
“Sarah distinguished herself through her deep knowledge of the department, proven executive leadership, financial and occupational expertise, and longstanding commitment to the people and neighborhoods of San Francisco,” said Anderson, in a statement. “She brings the collaborative leadership style, integrity, and public service ethic needed to guide the department through the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
He also helped convert roads in Golden Gate Park and along Ocean Beach into permanent pedestrian promenades and expanded concerts and large-scale events in city parks.
Madland was to be sworn in Wednesday morning at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park.
She has worked for the city under six mayoral administrations in staff positions under the office of the city attorney and for the Board of Supervisors. For the last 15 years she has served as director of policy and public affairs at Rec and Park. Among her projects was securing JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park as a permanent car-free promenade, and in leading public investment efforts that helped secure more than $500 million for park improvements. Madland,50, is also a youth soccer and flag football coach with three kids of her own.
“The next era for Recreation and Parks will ensure that every family, in every neighborhood, feels these spaces belong to them,” said Lurie in a statement. “Sarah Madland understands that the ‘rec’ in Rec and Park matters just as much as the parks themselves, and that is the type of leadership she will bring to our world-class park system.”