Gutfeld joins San Bernardino as Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services

The City of San Bernardino has a new Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services.

Lydie Gutfeld, has more than 30 years experience working in parks. Prior to joining San Bernardino, Gutfeld was the Community Services Manager for Mission Viejo. She also recently served as President of the California Park and Recreation Society, a state association of over 4,000 parks and recreation professionals.

“I am very excited to lead the department and team of amazing professionals in developing a new vision for parks, recreation and community services that will make San Bernardino a better place to live, work and play,” said Gutfeld.

In the role of Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, Gutfeld will oversee youth, adult and senior programs, activities, and sports at San Bernardino’s thirty-three parks that span approximately five hundred acres of open space and developed land, as well as community events such as Operation Splash, Inland Empire Senior Games, the Veteran’s Day Parade, and Winter Wonderland.

“Lydie has a long track record of delivering impactful recreation programs and services in the cities she serves. I look forward to her doing the same for our residents in San Bernardino,” said City Manager Robert Field.

Prior to spending the past six years in Mission Viejo, Gutfeld spent thirteen years with the city of Irvine, as well as time with the city of Beverly Hills. In 2019, she was the recipient of the Helen Pontius National Merit Award, the highest recognition given by the Women in Leisure Services, Chi Kappa Rho, Inc. organization, for her extensive efforts and service to women in the profession. Gutfeld holds a BA In Child and Adolescent Development and Master’s in Public Administration from Cal State Fullerton.