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New parks director Nicole Banks outlines stewardship, equity and staff investment as priorities
Summary
Nicole Banks introduced herself Feb. 3 as Monterey's new parks and recreation director and presented four guiding priorities focused on stewardship, access and staff support; public commenters raised concerns about a sports-center privacy incident and urged continued attention to Laguna Grande Park and downtown safety.
Nicole Banks, the City of Monterey's new parks and recreation director, introduced herself to the City Council and the public Feb. 3 and laid out four guiding priorities she said will shape her tenure: stewardship and sustainability; access, equity and community connection; strengthened partnerships and operational excellence; and investment in staff.
"My name is Nicole Banks, and I'm really just honored to be here to serve as your new, parks and recreation director," she said, describing more than 20 years of municipal recreation experience in New England and a career focus on inclusive programming and capital projects.
Council members welcomed Banks and flagged local programs and facilities that will be priorities, while staff acknowledged the department's recent transitional period and thanked interim managers for maintaining services. Assistant City Manager Nat and others highlighted Banks' experience running teams in municipalities with extensive open space and seasonal staffing challenges.
During general public comment tied to parks and recreation, Edna Khoury described a long-running complaint about management at the city's sports center and recounted a 2019 privacy incident that she said left her traumatized. "I was naked, and a gentleman entered... I was traumatized," Khoury said, and she said subsequent accommodations promised by staff were not sustained; the mayor urged her to meet with Banks afterward and staff to follow up. Other comments addressed Laguna Grande Park boundaries with Seaside, downtown safety and requests for extended security hours, and a resident urged prioritizing a bike and pedestrian link to Carmel.
Banks told the council her immediate focus will be listening to staff and residents and assessing current projects. Council members encouraged community engagement on park master planning and said they look forward to working with the new director.
