The Maine Recreation and Parks Association announces that Gary Colello, director of Recreation in Bridgton, has been awarded the 2020 “Dr. Bill Eckart” Young Professional Award

Colello is being recognized by his professional peers with an award by the Maine Recreation and Parks Association. He has demonstrated outstanding leadership for the residents of Bridgton by developing, coordinating and implementing recreational opportunities for all ages.  

Colello recently served on the MRPA Fall Workshop and the MRPA annual conference planning committees.

This award is named for Dr. William Eckart, who retired from the University of Maine at Machias in 2011 after 31 years as a professor of Recreation Management. During his tenure, he built the program into one of the most respected programs in the country, and it was Maine’s only nationally accredited recreation degree program. Dr. Eckart was an active member of MRPA, serving as treasurer on the Board of Directors, spearheading the professional certification program, and managing membership.

Here is what residents of Bridgton say about Gary:

“Gary has taken a leadership role bringing together many towns in for baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, lacrosse and other sports. He also helps with town events such as the Christmas parade, the Bridgton 4 on the Fourth Road Race and the town Halloween party. He also interacts with the local elementary, middle and high school. His skill dealing with children, coaches, parents, officials and other town’s representatives is amazing. He does this with a smile and an undeniable belief that the bottom line is that this is all done for the benefits of the children.”

“He has gone well above and beyond the typical duties of a small town rec director.”

“Gary is single-handedly responsible for growing our community health and wellness activities at a previously under-utilized old town hall, revitalizing an attached public winter ice rink and providing skates and helmets to those who are interested. I cannot think of a community event where I have not seen him in attendance. This winter, he mobilized every town business to decorate their windows for the holiday season, as the Parks Department was unable to put up the customary decorations due to road construction. I do not think this was even his responsibility. He also doggedly organized the previously failing ‘Festival of Lights’ parade in the beginning of December.”

“Since Gary has come to Bridgton, he has done a lot for our recreation community. He is constantly challenging the ‘we’ve always done it this way’ mentality while also collaborating with more experienced recreation directors to bring our community the best programming possible.”

The News reached out to Colello Wednesday for his reaction to the honor:

“I am honestly very humbled to receive this award. I truly love what I do and I am so thankful to have such a supportive community. Really though, the people that volunteer and the staff of the Recreation Department are what helped make this award possible for me. I am honored that my peers recognized my work and our community members took the time to say something nice about me,” he wrote.

BN. What was your goal coming to Bridgton in terms of being the town’s rec leader?

Colello. Well when I applied for this job, I just finished my master’s degree in Athletic Administration. I was ready to travel across the country and work with athletes. I saw a random ad online for the Bridgton Rec Director position. I remember walking into the interview room and seeing a table full of people ready to ask me questions. I have never had an interview with more than two people before. I remember Mitch (Berkowitz, the town manager at the time), Georgiann (Fleck), Katherine, Paul and Carmen (Lone) asking me some tough hard questions. I remember feeling like I bombed one of them. It was something like what role does the Rec Department play in local economy. Mind you, I had no thoughts whatsoever prior to entering that room that I would have any questions relating to economic impacts. So, I answered and of course after thinking well I gave it a good run. I must of done better with the other questions because I was offered the job. The point of my story is that there was a group of people that was willing to give a kid a shot at running a department. I wanted people to learn and share what physical activity, athletics and recreation can do for all of us, mentally and physically. I wanted to inspire children, learn from seniors and develop with my peers plus I love athletics, coaching and learning from others. 

BN. How have you gone about reaching those goals?

Colello. I think the most important thing working with people, the public, is to understand perspective. People are passionate about what they believe in and they develop their beliefs based on their perspective. Whether it be a passionate parent  or a frustrated community member, most heated situations can be avoided when the other person can respect that there is a difference of opinion/perspective. I feel like this approach has helped develop better stronger relationships and the n in turn created opportunity for success.

BN. What are your future goals?

Colello. I remember the last thing I wrote in my letter of intent to take the position here in Bridgton was I was going to try and create the best Rec Department in the state. I still hold true to this goal. Working with my peers in the Maine Parks and Rec Association has taught me that I have some big aspirations. There are some really incredible recreation professionals in this state! In Bridgton, I will strive to continue to offer the community recreational opportunities for all ages, stay heavily involved with our athletic programs, and continue to work on creating and developing great family experiences like the Festival of Lights, the Halloween Party, and the Independence Day celebrations. Personally, I hope to be more involved with the MRPA, advocate for recreation profession, and join the MRPA Board. Finally, long term, some way somehow I, we, will find a way to build a new Rec Center in our town.