EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz announced today the appointment of Lawrence C. Hemingway as the City's Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. Hemingway has served as Director of Parks and Recreation for Wayne County Parks in Westland, Michigan since 2010. His start date at the City of Evanston will be Monday, February 8, 2016.

"The City is fortunate to have a leader of Lawrence’s caliber join us in Evanston," said Bobkiewicz. "His experience in Michigan provides an excellent foundation for coming to our city and providing recreation services that match our community’s needs. I welcome Lawrence to our team."

While at Wayne County Parks, Hemingway managed and monitored a budget of over $17 million; oversaw day-to-day operations for recreation, maintenance and design staff personnel for the Parks Division; and planned and coordinated major special events. Wayne County Parks has a diversified year-round parks and recreation program that includes a newly renovated riverfront facility, golf courses, ball parks, a water park, a marsh, a dog park, and various athletic fields, parks, and 5,500 acres of open space.

Hemingway previously served as Chief Operating Officer for Think Detroit PAL, a nonprofit that organizes youth recreational sports leagues. He also served as General Manager for the City of Detroit’s Recreation Department before being promoted to Director. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Wayne State University. Hemingway has been married to his wife, Felecia, for 19 years, and is father to a son, Lawrence II, age 17, and daughter, Laurielle, age 16.