Therese Braddick started with Parks as an Urban Park Ranger on May 16, 1983. She has since served as Director of the Rangers, Queens Chief of Staff under Commissioner Oliver Spellman, and Director of Development at the City Parks Foundation. At CPF, Therese honed her fundraising skills and learned to navigate the non-profit world. These skills would serve her well in her next role as Director of the Historic House Trust. Therese helped the Trust acquire new properties and improve conservation efforts. She also increased educational programming, finding new ways for the public to learn about the city's many historic sites.
In July of 2008, Therese took this diverse background to Capital Projects, serving as Deputy Commissioner. Now, instead of raising money, she helps us spend it. Overseeing a staff of 481 engineers, landscapers and designers, Therese is spearheading Parks largest modern capital program. Through her leadership, we are building new parks, rebuilding and reimagining older ones, and involving the public in new ways as we design parks. In all, Therese has coordinated $650 million in work so far, resulting in 218 completed projects.
Therese's work is impacting all corners of the City, but a few areas deserve particular mention. The $190 million Croton Initiative is bringing new playgrounds, skate parks and green spaces to the Bronx. She is administering Capital's role in Schoolyards to Playgrounds, which is converting underused school areas into hundreds of redesigned year round facilities. Therese is also involved in the restoration of Coney Island, helping rebuild boardwalks and introducing new park areas through the Steeplechase project.
In addition, Therese is working to change the way the capital division does business. She has convened task forces to streamline the way that work is done and is holding staff to performance targets. Despite many regulatory, budgetary and inter-agency hurdles, projects are going from design to construction at a record pace. Approachable and straightforward, Therese brings a determined but diplomatic approach to interactions with the public, staff, community and elected officials.
A model Parkie and public servant, Therese currently lives in Queens with her husband Robert Banks.
