‘Parks and Recreation, simply put, is my life’

The city hired a South Carolina man as its new parks and recreation director, a position that pays $106,500 a year.
Foster Hughes, former parks, recreation and tourism director for Conway, S.C., starts his new job in New Bern on Nov. 6.
Hughes has 18 years of experience working in parks and recreation and extensive expertise in budget oversight, park and facility improvements, wellness and athletic programming, seasonal camps and programs, and special event planning, according to the City of New Bern website.
City Manager Mark Stephens said the city received about 400 resumes for this position.  “Mr. Hughes distinguished himself among a large pool of qualified and talented candidates.  His experience has prepared him to tackle some of the city’s future plans and challenges in parks and recreation, including the development of the new Martin Marietta Park.”
Hughes graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  In 2016, he earned his master’s degree in Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sports Management from N.C. State University. Early in his career, he worked as a program supervisor coordinating youth and adult athletic leagues and a full schedule of aquatics programs. He rose through the ranks to become Director of Special Programs, then Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, and finally Parks and Recreation Director.  In his cover letter expressing interest in the position with the City of New Bern, Mr. Hughes wrote “Parks and Recreation, simply put, is my life.”