Tricia Vanderbeck Is The Manager Of The Year

Photo by Daniel Avila

Tricia Vanderbeck’s unwavering commitment to Bronx Parks is evident to all who work with her. As Deputy Chief of Operations for the Bronx, Tricia is responsible for much of the scheduling and deployment of staff and resources as well as the overall efficiency of the borough. These goals are reflected in every decision she makes.

Tricia began her career at Parks on December 4, 2000 as a Community Coordinator in Manhattan Forestry, overseeing Greenstreets in the borough of Manhattan. As she become more involved with Parks Operations, she was promoted in April, 2002 to Park and Recreation Manager (PRM) in Manhattan Districts 9, 10 and 11 where she oversaw all of the Historic Harlem Parks. She also worked as a PRM on the Lower East Side, managing District 3, as well as the East Side, in Districts 6, 8 and 15. In September 2008, Tricia was promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations for the Bronx.

After joining the Bronx team, Tricia turned her eye to streamlining operations and ensuring that all resources are used strategically. She critically studied the deployment of staff within the borough and asked tough questions. At her initiative, the borough accelerated its reassignment of staff, equipment and other resources based on the analysis of property use and PIP ratings. In 2010, she was given the task of planning and implementing the Bronx Seasonal Plan. She voluntarily took on deployment of POP/JTP participants, and worked to develop an algorithm based on types of properties and usage levels to guide staffing decisions.

In the summer of 2010, she became immersed in the operation of outdoor pools. Characteristically, she also brought her horticultural experience to bear in her initiative to beautify the pool decks and entryways. She worked with the crews to transform the perimeter of the pools into inviting gardens with vibrant plants and flowers and improved the overall visual experience with banners, umbrellas and enhanced painting.

She also played a major role in the Asset Management Parks System (AMPS) implementation. In 2011, the Bronx was selected for the AMPS pilot for the Operations workstream of the Strategic Plan. The pilot was aimed at standardizing the use of our new asset management system and developing reports and Key Performance Indicators that are useful to managers and supervisors. Working with MIS, Trish took the lead in developing an intensive AMPS training program for the borough’s managers and supervisors, and personally drove home the importance of inputting data on a daily basis and maximizing the capability of the system.

Tricia is extremely conscientious and possesses keen analytic skills. She questions the status quo at every turn, and constantly seeks to improve the delivery of services to the people in the Bronx. Tricia has excellent horticultural skills and a fine aesthetic sense, which she has continued to develop and refine through her work at Parks as well as a private citizen, helping her neighborhood association raise the quality of nearby display gardens.

Tricia lives with her husband, fellow Parkie Harold Vanderbeck, and their daughter, Jessica.

She was honored as Manager of the Year at the recent Parks Annual Awards Ceremony.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“Be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things. It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out - it's the grain of sand in your shoe.”

Robert Service
(1874 - 1958)

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