SWAMPSCOTT — What excites Christina O’Connor-Rice most about her new role as recreation coordinator is the chance to deepen the Recreation Department’s ties to the community.
She explained how her background had prepared her for the first steps into this next role.
“I went to Salem State University for sports management, but after 2020, I shifted gears and went into the field of recreation. My first job was with the Leominster Recreation Department… I was there as the program supervisor, and I did a lot of different programs and events,” she said. “Fast-forwarding a little bit, I moved back to the North Shore area and did the same thing for the City of Woburn.”
She added that Swampscott is a small but tight-knit community, and she wanted to be a part of it.
When asked how she would like to help the Recreation Department grow, she said it was important to build upon the various programs, classes, and workshops that the department provides for residents of all ages.
“I know it’s very important, and I want to be a part of that. Even for the smallest events, whether it’s a group of five kids having fun, or a large event like the First Night New Year’s Eve celebration where there’s hundreds of people… I know that everyone really appreciates all the effort the Recreation Department puts into them,” O’Connor-Rice said.
She continued that she’s looking forward to thinking outside the box when it comes to creating smaller-scale family events that people could enjoy.
“I think it’s important not only to provide programs for the younger age group of people, but also for people who are 18 and up,” she said. “Having the creative freedom to think of new ideas, events, and programs is wonderful. Plus, Recreation Director Charlotte Daher de Garcia and I will make a great team… We have a lot of opportunities to collaborate with each other to come up with some great ideas.”
Daher de Garcia said she couldn’t be happier to welcome O’Connor-Rice to the Swampscott Recreation team.
“Finding someone with both hands-on recreation experience and a genuine commitment to community is so special. She truly hit the ground running, stepping in to teach multiple classes while also taking on the behind-the-scenes work that drives our programming and long-term strategy. Her energy and passion are already making a meaningful impact,” Daher de Garcia said.
