The City of Hampton has appointed Darrell Crittendon as the new director of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services. Crittendon brings 35 years of experience in parks administration to his new role, having previously served as director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Norfolk since 2006. His past roles include positions in Charles City, Durham, N.C., and Newport News.
Crittendon retired from his position in Norfolk on June 1 and is set to begin his new role in Hampton on July 14. Reflecting on his career transition, he stated, “I enjoyed my time in Norfolk and I feel like I accomplished a lot, but I still knew I wasn’t through with parks and recreation.” He added that Hampton is a dynamic city with great leadership, expressing excitement about continuing work in his chosen field.
Currently serving as president of the Virginia Recreation Parks Society Foundation Board, Crittendon is one of only two individuals to have served two terms as president for the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society. He also holds a position on the national Board of Directors for the American Academy for Parks & Recreation Administration. Under his leadership, parks departments in both Norfolk and Durham achieved national accreditation.
Crittendon will succeed Laurine Press, who took over as interim head following David McCauley’s retirement earlier this year. Mary Bunting, City Manager of Hampton, expressed confidence in Crittendon’s abilities: “I am absolutely convinced, as is Laurine and the other members who served on our selection committee, that Darrell is the best person to take our department to the next level. Darrell is a firm but compassionate leader who will help us reach national accreditation status too.”
A graduate of Norfolk State University and a former member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Crittendon’s connection to Hampton runs deep; his father was an Air Force veteran who retired from Langley Air Force Base there in 1974.
Hampton’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services manages various facilities including parks, trails, beaches, neighborhood centers, and community centers throughout the city.
