DANA POINT : Park Administrator to Leave His Post

David Lewis, administrator of the Capistrano Bay Park and Recreation District for the past decade, announced recently that he will leave his post to become the first director of parks and recreation for the new city of Laguna Hills.

Lewis, 41, told the district board of directors of his plans last week, an announcement that came as a surprise, board President Ed Conway said.

“It was a bombshell, but people have to move on,” Conway said. “Ten years is a long time at one position. Dave has done a great job for us.”

Lewis’ move from his $60,000-a-year post came in the midst of a major parkland buying spree by the 27-year-old district, which is contiguous with the 6-square-mile boundary of the city of Dana Point. With $6 million to spend, the district board has already purchased one new park site this spring and is close to buying five others.

“We’re in the throes of so many acquisitions and so much activity right now,” Conway said. “Nothing is certain yet, but we’ll probably hire a consultant to help us recruit another administrator, just as was done when (Lewis) was hired.”

Lewis, a resident of Laguna Niguel, came to Dana Point from a small park district in Mendocino County. He arrived in Dana Point before cityhood to find a fledgling park district, Conway said.

“He came here when the district worked out of a tiny trailer and worked the job into an administrator’s dream,” Conway said.

Longtime board member Lynn Muir, a member of the district’s personnel committee, was also shocked.

“It was not unexpected that he would leave at some time, but we were surprised it was happening now,” Muir said. “When you get another similar job offer that pays more, it’s almost the best of both worlds.”

Laguna Hills City Manager Bruce Channing said Lewis would become the city’s first parks and recreation director on July 6. He said Lewis’ salary would range “between $65,000 and $79,000 annually.”

“He will be the first and only park and recreation employee,” said Channing, who selected Lewis for the job. “We are excited to draw upon his many years of experience in park planning and recreation programming.”