After nearly three years in the role, Donnie Rosa is leaving their job as the leader of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.
Rosa was hired as the park board's general manager in September 2020; according to the city they left the position on May 15.
"We especially want to acknowledge their pivotal role leading Vancouver Park Board during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their extensive efforts working with the City and provincial agencies to end the encampment in Strathcona Park and to house the individuals sheltering there," states spokesperson for the City of Vancouver in an email.
No reason for Rosa's departure was given by the city.
Parks board chair, Scott Jensen of Mayor Ken Sim's ABC party, thanked Rosa in a tweet.
"We want to thank Donnie for their years of service to the City and wish them luck in their future," he wrote.
The city's Green Party also thanked Rosa.
“Donnie is a proven civic leader who led the Park Board in giant steps towards reconciliation, social equity and civic engagement” said Green Party Park Board Commissioner Tom Digby in a press release. “I will deeply miss them, staff will miss them, and sadly the impact of this departure will be felt throughout the city.”
The parks board will be led by director of business services Steve Jackson who will be the acting general manager. At the same time, the city is undertaking a recruitment effort for the position.
Prior to the General Manager's role in Vancouver, Rosa held a similar job in Coquitlam and was the director of recreation with the Vancouver parks board prior to that. They've also been involved with industry associations and Hockey Canada.
