After more than 25 years as director of the Parks and Recreation Department, Tim Lancaster will resign July 1.

However, Lancaster won’t be going far as he has been appointed chief of Fire District 1, to take over when Peter Andrade retires at the end of June. 

At the Select Board meeting Monday, May 5, Chair Heidi Silva Brooks read a letter from Lancaster to the members of the Parks and Recreation Board. 

“Over the past two and half decades, we have worked as a team to renovate all of our facilities, construct new park sites and expand recreational opportunities for all from the development of the summer concert series, self sustaining year round recreation programming into the implementation of a successful concession operation at the Bucket and soon to be Round Hill Beach,” Lancaster wrote.

He highlighted the continued growth and improvement of the department, noting how rewarding it is to drive through town and see the physical difference alone the department has made: “Improvements that will last long after we have all moved on.”

Lancaster added thinking outside the box has led to better services, expanded opportunities, protection of resources as well as addressing increased facility usage.

With pride, he called attention to the success in securing Round Hill Beach as a designated public park land, protected and under the department’s control.

“When faced with overwhelming pressure from the federal, state and local officials to damage our town’s most cherished gem and potentially put our residents at risk, we stood strong and saved the most sought after treasure for generations of Dartmouth families,” he said.

With only two full-time staff supported by 60 seasonal employees, “do more with less” has been the department’s motto for years, Lancaster wrote. And the fruits of the labor are clear.

Twenty-six years ago, the department maintained five properties on a seasonal basis. Today there are 28 sites that are operated or maintained year round.

“The 22-year-old kid that many said column’t do the job is now approaching 50 and can honestly say he proved everyone of them wrong and then some,” Lancaster said.

“The road has been trying and difficult,” he added. “It seems we have had a fight every inch of the way to make Dartmouth a better place, but have always succeeded.”

He noted he couldn’t have done any of it without the support of the Parks and Recreation Board as well as Recreation Coordinator Rebecca Amaral.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must say goodbye to you and work I have cherished for over half my life,” Lancaster said.

Silva Brooks said, “Our Parks and Rec Department and the work that they have done is definitely a source of Dartmouth Pride.”

Select Board member Stanley Mickelson said, “There are no words to express our gratitude to Tim and what he’s done over the years.”