Belmont celebrates expansion of youth programs as Parks and Rec director Bridget Shearer retires

Michael Moran, Belmont’s recreation supervisor for youth and teen programs, told the City Council the department has seen rapid growth over the past eight years, with annual attendance at events such as the egg hunt and Boo Bash expanding from a few hundred participants to about 2,000. Moran said Camp SOAR enrollment has risen from a prior cap of roughly 682 campers to 906 this year. He also described expanded adaptive programming, a Youth Advisory Committee that grew from 13 to 29 members, and increased summer staff to meet demand.

The council read a proclamation honoring Bridget Shearer for eight years as Director of Parks, Recreation, Facilities and Culture. The proclamation credited Shearer with leading a department of 25.25 positions and an annual budget the proclamation described as exceeding $11,000,000, stewarding 16 developed parks and about 300 acres of open space, and advancing capital projects and community events. Shearer accepted the proclamation and thanked staff, volunteers and community partners.

Councilmembers praised Shearer’s leadership, citing long‑running programs and community partnerships at Barrett Community Center and Twin Pines Park. Members noted succession planning, the expansion of swim lessons and camp offerings, the establishment of a memory café and ongoing efforts to make programs inclusive for people with sensory needs.

The council took no formal action tied to this presentation. Staff and council members encouraged residents to review program offerings and register for upcoming activities, including a youth spelling bee and summer camps.