Raymond appoints new director for town’s Parks and Recreation Department

By Dina Mendros

The Raymond Parks and Recreation Department is relatively new, only starting in February 2020, and it has undergone a number of changes in that short time. The latest change is appointing Riley Silvia as the department’s new full-time director.

Riley Silvia, 23, has been appointed by
the Raymond Select Board as the 
director of the Raymond Parks and
Recreation Department. She has been
serving as the town's assistant director
of the Parks and Rec Department and
she obtained a degree in Sports
Management as Lassell University
in Massachusetts.
SUBMITTED PHOTO    

Silvia, 23, who grew up in Raymond and graduated from Lasell University in Massachusetts with a degree in Sports Management and a minor in Communication, started working for the department during the summer of 2020 and every summer since until last July, when she was hired full time as the assistant director before her recent appointment as director.

Though young, Silvia has a history of excellence. As a student-athlete, she competed during both high school and college in both women’s soccer and track and field. While in college, Silvia was a two-time Great Northeast Athletic Conference champion, winning the discus title in 2022 and indoor shotput title in 2024, as well being a two-time GNAC runner-up with Lasell University’s women’s soccer team. She was selected as the “Scholar Athlete of the Year” for Lasell University in 2024.

She also has had a history of success during her tenure with the Raymond Parks & Recreation Department. In 2022, she created the department’s first-ever summer camp, building it from the ground up and serving as camp director until becoming the department’s assistant director.

“One of my proudest accomplishments while being assistant director was introducing a variety of new programs and events that strengthened community involvement,” she said in an email. “I launched the Camp Raymond After School Program, as well as several events including Merry and Bright Family Night, Elf Workshop, Kids Night Out, and the Sweetheart Soirée. On the athletic side, I introduced our futsal program, goalkeeper training clinics, and brought in Challenger Soccer Camps to provide a new level of instruction. I also brought the Summer Ticket Program to Raymond to help families access local attractions at a discount. Most recently, I helped bring back the UCan 5K.”

She also made strides in enhancing the department’s marketing strategy, expanding its social media presence, and building stronger connections with local families and partners.

Silvia credits much of her success to her predecessor, Joseph Crocker, who stepped down as department director earlier this year to focus on his own new position as Raymond’s Town Manager.

Crocker, Silvia said, “was a very important mentor to me. He saw potential in me early on and gave me opportunities to step up, take on responsibility, and grow within the department. The foundation he built and the guidance he gave me played a huge role in preparing me for this new position, and I’m incredibly grateful for the path he helped me take.”

For his part, Crocker said that Silvia was a natural fit for the director position as she continued to grow and be promoted within the department. She was first hired as a Tassel Top Park attendant six years ago while still in college, he said, and by the end of the first summer she was promoted to park supervisor. She led successful initiatives for the park and was appointed as the first-ever childcare camp director.

“With her deep knowledge of the town, having grown up in Raymond, combined with her energy, creativity, and commitment to expanding community opportunities, Riley was a natural choice for assistant director of Parks & Recreation and then as department director,” Crocker said.

Her new position will shift Silvia’s focus from primarily running programs to leading the entire department’s vision, resources, and growth.

“In my new role, I’m responsible for setting long-range direction, managing the budget, guiding full-time and seasonal staff development, overseeing projects and facility planning, and strengthening partnerships across town departments, schools, and community organizations,” she said.

Silvia says that one of her biggest challenges so far has been balancing limited space with increasing demand for programs.

Since the department’s inception, revenue has grown over 25 percent from nearly $125,000 in the first fiscal year to about $383,700 in the last, according to figures supplied by Crocker. Silvia said she is excited that more full-time staff will be hired to help meet department demands.

Silvia’s long-term goals include growing programs and capacity.

“I’m most looking forward to expanding our audience and creating more opportunities for all members of the Raymond community,” she said. “I want to ensure our department reaches beyond traditional youth programs and offers something meaningful for teens, adults, and older residents as well. With more staffing support and a growing foundation, we’re in a strong position to introduce new ideas, strengthen community connections, and ensure everyone in town feels they have a place in our programs and events. It’s an exciting time to build on what we’ve started and continue growing.” <