NEW ORLEANS -- The director of the New Orleans Recreation Department will step down from his post to take a job with the Children's Defense Fund, NORD announced Wednesday.Larry Barbarino Jr.'s last day is Friday, the city said. The Children's Defense Fund would not confirm to WDSU that Barbarino is taking a job there and had no comment.
"Larry, given some of the limitations of our system right now, you know has done a good job and certainly has tried to do what's right for this community," City Council President Arnie Fielkow said. "So I wish him the very best in his future work."
Barabino was hired in the summer of 2006 to rebuild the city's recreation department after Hurricane Katrina. The city estimates the hurricane and flood damage to NORD facilities exceeded $60 million.
During the past three years, Barabino is credited with getting 90 playgrounds, 10 swimming pools and 23 recovery projects up and running.
Fielkow said he appreciates Barabino's efforts as the head of NORD. But as the chairman of the Youth and Recreation Committee, he said there's too much turnover in the department's leadership, and he would like to see New Orleans emulate other cities.
"Philadelphia, Gwinett County (Georgia), Baton Rouge, you know, have shown that maybe using a commissioned model dedicating a specific funding stream so that the amount of money is not politicized each year as we go through budgeting. All of these are what make really good recreation systems in America right now," Fielkow said.
Ultimately, Fielkow envisions NORD offering great programs and facilities that are seamless from neighborhood to neighborhood, a vision shared by a NORD parent.
"I feel like anything can be improved upon and I feel like his stepping down shouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, but it can certainly bring in an opportunity for a new party to bring in a bold new vision," said parent Jean-Paul Villere.
The city has yet to name a replacement for Barabino. Fielkow said it's likely the associate director will serve in the interim. The position is appointed by the mayor.
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