Groton ― Jerry Lokken, recreation services manager for the Town of Groton Parks and Recreation, has always been a champion of the department, said Director Mark Berry.

Lokken was willing to “jump into projects with both feet and see them through to their completion,” put the department first, mentored staff members, and advocated for equity and inclusion, Berry said.

“He was always advocating for the under-served, speaking up on their behalf, and making sure that everybody had equal access to the services and programs that we were providing,” Berry said.

After more than two decades at the Groton Parks and Recreation Department, Lokken is leaving to become East Lyme Parks and Recreation director. He will replace Dave Putnam who retires Sept. 8. Lokken’s first day in East Lyme will be Tuesday.

In Groton, Lokken headed the town’s recreation division, which operates programs for people of all ages and inclusive programs.

He also planned the annual Groton Fourth of July Parade for the past two decades, and held virtual parades during the pandemic. He frequently collaborated with groups such as the Health Improvement Collaborative of Southeastern Connecticut, Groton Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention and the Board of Education wellness committee.

Lokken, 55, a Waterford resident, said he counts himself very fortunate to have worked for the Town of Groton, a job that supported him and his wife, Marilyn, daughter, Ellie, who is 21, and twin sons, Bobby and PJ, who are now 18.

He described the Groton job as a fortunate opportunity that he walked into and ended staying in for 22 years.

In 2000, Lokken and his wife moved to Connecticut from Texas to be closer to their families, and he was soon hired in a temporary programming position at Groton Parks and Recreation during a time when the department was in transition and the director position was open. The town then hired John Silsby, who has since retired, as director, and Silsby offered Lokken a permanent position as recreation superintendent.

“It was just a perfect opportunity,” Lokken said.

Lokken served in that position until the mid-2000s when he became the manager of recreation services, a position in which he continued to be head of recreation programs but also assumed some administrative and additional duties.

Lokken explained that in a municipal setting, people often go places because they have to, such as going to Town Hall to pay taxes. But people go to Parks and Recreation because they want to and there’s something there that they value and enjoy ― and that often makes for a positive environment.

“That’s truly what drew me to the profession and drew me to the job,” he said.

Reflecting on his time in Groton, Lokken said he’s most proud of the Parks and Recreation Department’s “fantastic staff.” He also said the department has saved the town millions of dollars over the years by operating a special revenue fund and funding all the programs through fees people paid.

He’s also proud of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work to make sure programs serve everybody in town. He said the department is able to help people to participate in programs when they can’t afford them.

Lokken recently secured a $90,000 grant to establish a wellness hub at the Groton Community Center to connect people to services.

Lokken praised Silsby and Berry for their leadership.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work for both of them and learned a great deal,” Lokken said, “and I’m excited about going to East Lyme and trying to kind of recreate some of the better things that we’ve done in Groton and experience some of the different things about East Lyme with their beaches and their wonderful community events.”

Lokken said the opportunity to be parks and recreation director is the driving force in moving to the East Lyme position. He’s excited to work with East Lyme’s staff even more closely, as he already knows many of them from collaborations among parks and recreation departments from area towns.

Groton Town Manager John Burt said that it’s been great working with Lokken and he’ll miss his energy, organizational abilities, willingness to take on new challenges and skills at grant writing.

“I know he'll do great in his new position, and I’m very happy for him,” said Burt.

Jessica Patterson, community outreach coordinator at Groton Parks and Recreation, said, on behalf of the recreation team, that Lokken’s leadership and commitment to advancing recreation services and programs here has helped to define Groton Parks & Recreation and how it serves the community.

“All of us at the Recreation Team will miss him greatly but are so happy for him and his next adventure!” Patterson said

k.drelich@theday.com