September 1, 2005
ROMNEY NAMES BURRINGTON TO HEAD STATE PARKS AGENCY
New commissioner to continue focus on customer service, fixing infrastructure
Governor Mitt Romney today appointed environmental advocate and attorney Stephen Burrington as commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the state agency that manages public parklands and recreational facilities.
"Throughout his career, Steve Burrington has proven himself a passionate advocate for the environment as well as a capable and effective manager," said Romney. "He is the right person to move forward with the ambitious program of reforms and improvements already underway across the DCR system."
Burrington has extensive environmental experience in the private and public sectors. Since 2003 he has served as undersecretary within the Office for Commonwealth Development (OCD), which works to promote sustainable development across state environmental, transportation, housing and energy agencies. At OCD, Burrington devised reforms to zoning and transportation policies and helped to shape the Romney administration’s Smart Growth agenda.
Since DCR was formed in 2003, the agency has worked to eliminate overlap between its two legacy organizations, the Department of Environmental Management and the Metropolitan District Commission. The combined agency oversees more than 450,000 acres of public parklands and 440 recreational facilities such as playgrounds, swimming pools and campgrounds.
The Romney administration has made aggressive efforts to address pressing capital needs and rebuild aging infrastructure across the DCR system. The Administration has effectively doubled the agency’s budget for capital projects, helping to make facilities safer, cleaner and more accessible to the public.
Funding commitments have included $8 million to overhaul Dilboy Stadium in Somerville, $5 million for Wollaston Beach in Quincy, $5 million for Horseneck Beach in Westport, $6 million for Revere Beach and $2 million for Salisbury Beach. Increased funding has also allowed extensive upgrades to DCR infrastructure such as parkways, bridges and seawalls as well as repairs at recreational facilities such as playgrounds, skating rinks and swimming pools.
"I want to compliment Governor Romney for his wisdom in appointing Steve Burrington," said Andrew J. Falender, Executive Director of the Appalachian Mountain Club, a conservation group. "He has been a steady champion for the environment - we’re lucky to have someone of Steve’s energy, commitment and experience at the helm of DCR."
"This is a great day for all who use and enjoy our state’s parks and recreational facilities," said Stephen Pritchard, Secretary of Environmental Affairs. "The reforms currently taking place within the Department of Conservation and Recreation continue to enhance the quality and affordability of the recreational facilities in Massachusetts and I look forward to working with Steve to accomplish our goals."
Prior to his work in state government, Burrington was Vice President and General Counsel for the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) – an environmental advocacy organization. At CLF, he directed programs in areas including transportation and land use, air quality and climate change, natural resources and agriculture.
"Every day across our Commonwealth, thousands of people enjoy the broad recreational opportunities our state has to offer and it is an honor to be called upon to lead this department," said Burrington. "As commissioner, I will work to keep these opportunities affordable and see to it that all of our facilities are maintained at the highest possible level."
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