Rec and Park Director Stepping Down

Greg Bayor, who lead the Department of Recreation and Parks through a controversial proposal to privatize the operations of several recreation centers, is stepping down.

Bayor, who served as director for just under two, is leaving to take a position in Tampa, FL. Associate Director Bill Vondrasek, will serve as the acting director of the department starting April 6, according to a new release from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s office.

"I would like to thank Mr. Bayor for his service to the citizens of Baltimore and for increasing staff morale in the department during the last two years," Rawlings-Blake said in the release. "Mr. Bayor has laid significant groundwork, creating new public-private partnerships with local businesses, foundations, and community organizations that will strengthen recreational opportunities for Baltimore going forward. We wish him well in his future endeavors."

Last winter, Bayor had to face and that were alarmed by a proposal by Rawlings-Blake’s administration to close some recreation centers and privatize operations at others.

Hampden residents were especially angry about a proposal to privatize operations at the

Because of intense public pressure and a lack of qualified operators interested in operating the centers, the administration had to drastically scale back its privatization proposal. 

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