Scotch Plains’ Parks and Recreation Director Earns Statewide Award
SCOTCH PLAINS – March 16, 2023 – The Township’s Director of Parks and Recreation, Julie Buonaguro, is this year’s recipient of the William D. Foelsch Rising Professional Award through the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association.
Awards are designed to honor and identify dedicated leaders, employees, and volunteers in the field of Parks and Recreation, and to recognize the state’s outstanding Recreation and Park agencies for excellence in programming, publicity, and facility design.
Township Manager Al Mirabella said Buonaguro is well-deserving of the award, as a “rising star” in parks and recreation in New Jersey.
“Director Buonaguro has served Scotch Plains very well as the Assistant Director for five years before being promoted last April,” he said. “She takes great pride in serving the community with creative, innovative programs and genuinely cares for all our residents. I have full confidence that she will continue to build upon the great success of our programs and events.”
Buonaguro oversees the planning, organizing and direction of all recreational programs, activities and events in Scotch Plains. In addition, through her active involvement in the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association – through which she has won this award - she provides Scotch Plains with the latest industry trends to refine and expand programming. Moreover, Buonaguro is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional through the Association.
“Julie recognizes the crucial role that parks and recreation plays in our community,” said Councilman Matt Adams, liaison to the Recreation Commission. “She has been heavily involved in developing our master plan, as we focus on facility needs to accommodate growing demand. I know she will continue to be an invaluable partner in the process, as we identify new ways in which to serve residents. I could not be more pleased that Julie has won such a distinguished award for a job well done.”
Adams noted that Buonaguro was a key player in determining $1.3 million in park improvements last year – the largest revitalization of parks, recreation and youth sport spaces, to date. She is also leading the way for a number of other facility improvements the Township Council is considering.
Prior to joining Scotch Plains, Buonaguro was the general manager of i9 Sports in Virginia, where she developed, planned, and coordinated youth sports leagues, camps, and clinics, among many other roles. She earned a graduate degree from Georgetown University in Sports Industry Management and an undergraduate degree in Sports Administration from Lock Haven University. A native New Jerseyan, Buonaguro graduated from Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights.