Amy Wooldridge Leaves Alameda for East Bay Regional Parks

Amy Wooldridge is leaving Alameda. After 19 years running the city's Recreation and Parks Department and a more recent stint as assistant city manager, she's headed to a new job as deputy general manager of the East Bay Regional Park District starting August 31.

Why Alameda Residents Should Care

If you've used a new playground, walked a new trail, or noticed Alameda's park space growing over the past couple decades, Wooldridge likely had a hand in it. During her tenure, the city expanded its parkland by 40 percent over 10 years and built out 65 acres of new parks, including turning an old railroad maintenance yard into public green space. In a small island city where open land doesn't come easy, that's a real legacy.

Where She's Headed

At the East Bay Regional Park District, Wooldridge will help oversee operations and organizational initiatives, working closely with the general manager and board of directors. She's one of two new executives joining the district this fall. Kirsten Holder, who has led planning and environmental programs for the National Park Service's Golden Gate National Recreation Area since 2013, starts September 8 as assistant general manager of acquisition, stewardship, and planning.

"I am honored to join the East Bay Regional Park District at such a pivotal time," Wooldridge said in the district's announcement. "I look forward to strengthening our collaborations and community partnerships as well as working on initiatives to build organizational resiliency and help ensure that the Park District continues to serve East Bay communities for generations to come."

Park District General Manager Max Korten said both new hires bring "extensive public-sector leadership experience" and "a deep understanding of the communities and landscapes of the East Bay," calling their track record on complex projects and partnerships "invaluable as the Park District plans for the future."

What Happens to Alameda's Parks Now

The city hasn't said who will step into Wooldridge's old role, or whether the recreation director and assistant city manager duties will stay combined in one job. That's worth watching. Whoever comes next inherits a department that's grown a lot on Wooldridge's watch, from community programs and events to the parks themselves.

It's a big chair to fill, and Alameda residents who've watched the city's parks expand for two decades are about to see who fills it.