New Amherst Recreation Director Named

Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman announced on Wednesday (9/8) the appointment of Rey Harp as the new Recreation Director for the Town of Amherst. The appointment is subject to review by the Town Council. 

Harp will succeed Barbara Bilz who retired after many years of service to the Town. The appointment was referred to the Town Council on September 7^th and the referral is expected to be acted on by the Town Council on September 13^th. 

In his new role as Recreation Director, Harp will bring the skills he has honed over 20 years of coaching, teaching, and running a sports camp in Amherst to a broader community setting. He will work with the Recreation Commission and staff to incorporate sports, arts, theater, science, technology, and cultural programming to engage the entire community. Harp is a graduate of Amherst College and also holds a Master’s Degree in education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. 

In addition to his teaching social studies at Northampton High School and coaching, Harp has been the camp administrator for the Western Massachusetts Basketball Camp based in Amherst since 2002. There he was responsible for many aspects of the camp including being commissioner with full operational and instructional responsibilities for the 8-10 year old division. 

 Harp  is also a board member of Pioneer Valley Restorative Justice for Youth www.pvrjyouth.org, a community-based restorative justice organization striving to build relationships and restore trust after harm has occurred in the community. 

Harp said, “I am thrilled and challenged by this new opportunity to engage with the broader community of Amherst. I know the town well, having lived and worked here for many years. To return to the place I started, with young people and families I am still familiar, it is my honor.”