Robin Matthews, the town’s assistant superintendent of recreation, had her photo taken in the high grass to show her love of the outdoors. — Ben Shaw photo
There is no more articulate public relations person in Ridgefield than Robin Matthews, assistant superintendent of recreation. “Anything that you want or need to do can be found in our beautiful town,” exclaims Matthews. “I wouldn’t want to be anyplace else. We have the best of all worlds here.”
Matthews comes from a tiny little New Hampshire town near the White Mountains. “My childhood was spent in the out-of-doors, observing nature, hiking, bike riding, and making my own entertainment and toys from nature’s objects all around me. It was an amazing childhood and one that made me the person that I am today.”
After graduating from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire with a degree in recreation, Matthews got a job in Litchfield and then two part-time jobs, one in New Milford and one in Ridgefield. She was glad that when a full-time job opened up in Ridgefield, she had already established herself in town.
Having been in her current position for 26 years now, Matthews will not allow anyone to talk about her accomplishments.
“No one does anything alone. Without the assistance of my key people, Kathy Fassman (marketing), Joyce Dynia (wellness), Andrea Maiorano (youth program), Beth McKnight (program and facilities), and of course, Paul Roche, superintendent of recreation, and Bob Schneider, superintendent of building and grounds, Ridgefield would not have the best program anywhere around. Every program offered by the Ridgefield Recreation Department has doubled or tripled in size, and we offer so many programs now that we can’t even count them.”
When asked about new programs, Matthews said there are several possibilities in the pipeline. “Now with the spray bay and the new playground in Ballard Park a reality, we are looking at an outdoor skating rink, a ropes course, a zip line, and several other possibilities. When we read our professional magazines, we find we are so far ahead of the curve for most recreation departments. We can attribute almost all of this to our teamwork.”
Matthews is also proud of the trail system around the recreation facility.
“It warms my heart to see such diversity on the trails; senior citizens, bikers, joggers, kids on bicycles, mothers with their babies in strollers. We are bringing so much joy and a healthy lifestyle to so many.”
Wonderment is a favorite word of Matthews. “Wonderment is when we provide children with programs that don’t tell them what to do, but programs where they have to ask questions, use their imagination and create. This is what I did as a child and it will keep my passion for the out- of- doors for my entire lifetime.”
Matthews does not consider herself an athlete.
“I much prefer to be part of a group and do not need to be No. 1. If I were in a race I would be more concerned about the people in back of me than those in front of me.” This statement says a great deal about Matthews and how she lives her life.
The members on Matthews’ team agree that she can be a taskmaster, but say she is also an inspiration and not a micromanager. They comment on how she believes in negotiation and helping people to grow in their jobs. Matthews can’t imagine doing anything else than she is doing right now. Retirement is not something that she looking forward to, as she is so happy in her present position.
“I live recreation,” is the quote that embodies Matthew’s life. Without this ultimate professional in the room at the end of the hall, always with an open door, there would be fewer dynamic activities than are now being offered to the fortunate members of our community. It would also be much quieter in the recreation office without her very big, very joyful personality. When you hear hearty laughter in the office, you know that Matthews is in the house.
The post For Robin Matthews, it’s all about the teamwork appeared first on The Ridgefield Press.