The City of Lenoir has hired Phil Harper to serve as the next Director for the city’s Parks & Recreation Department. Harper was born and raised in Lenoir and has more than 24 years of experience in the parks & recreation field. He’ll assume his new position with the city on March 6.

Mr. Harper worked as a Recreation Supervisor for Lenoir’s Parks & Rec department from 1985 to 1991 and as Center Director from 1999 to 2002. Since then, he has worked in parks and recreation departments in many communities across the state including Burke County, Fayetteville/Cumberland County, and the Village of Pinehurst. Most recently, Mr. Harper served as the Parks & Rec Director for the Town of Pembroke.

During his career, Mr. Harper has managed and maintained open spaces, athletic fields, parks, and recreation centers. He’s overseen maintenance of pools and aquatic centers. He’s managed and created adult and youth athletic programs and leagues, and he’s overseen many youth summer camps.

As Parks & Recreation Director in Lenoir, Mr. Harper will be responsible for supervising the department’s nearly 20 full-time and more than 60 part-time staff. Mr. Harper will ensure that the city’s parks, greenway system, and recreation facilities are maintained, and he’ll work to grow Lenoir’s recreational and youth sports programs.

Mr. Harper graduated from Hibriten High School. He earned a Recreation & Leisure Management Degree from North Carolina Central University. Mr. Harper is an avid tennis player and he served as Varsity Tennis Coach at Hibriten High School from 1996 to 2004. He also taught at Hibriten.