Preston ― Longtime Parks and Recreation Director Amy Brosnan will leave the department she has grown up in next week to take a similar position in Brooklyn.

Brosnan, who lives in Preston, said in an email Wednesday she is sad to be leaving her hometown position, but said she has been presented with “a fantastic opportunity to take my career in a new direction.” Brosnan said she will work with Preston First Selectwoman Sandra Allyn-Gauthier and other town leaders on a transition plan for the town.

“We thank her for her long tenure here and her commitment to the community,” Allyn-Gauthier said, “and moving parks and recreation forward. She has been an instrumental part of that.”

Brosnan said she has worked for the Preston Parks and Recreation Department for more than 20 years and has served in the dual role of parks and recreation/youth services director for almost 11 years. She recalled how she started as a teenager as a summer camp counselor and manager of the baseball concession stand. She worked her way up to the director’s position.

Brosnan has planned and helped run some of Preston’s largest events, including Preston Palooza in partnership with the local PTO, Summer Sizzler concerts, community yard sales and a new project this spring, a community garden outside Preston Public Library. Following major storms and extended power outages, Brosnan helped run the town shelter, providing bottled water, food and electrical charging stations for residents.

“My proudest accomplishment will always be the playground community build in September 2020, during the height of the COVID 19 pandemic,” Brosnan said in the email. “Over the course of one weekend, 60+ people came together for the benefit of Preston's littlest residents.”

Dan Coley, vice chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, said he is sad to see Brosnan leave but is excited for her to advance her career. Coley’s two daughters, now 15 and 19, grew up in Preston recreation programs during Brosnan’s tenure, including the summer camps and Preston Palooza festivals, Coley said.

“She was great at the job,” Coley said, “very enthusiastic in coming up with amazing programs for the kids.”

Coley said he “floated the idea” of Brosnan joining the Parks and Recreation Commission in the future. The Parks and Recreation Commission met Tuesday night and started discussing a succession plan. New board Chairman Mike Brockway will work with Allyn-Gauthier and Brosnan on the plan.

Allyn-Gauthier said Brosnan has agreed to stay on part time through the transition, adding, “we’re very grateful for that.”

The position will be advertised later this week or next week. The 35-hour position is budgeted for $45,000, with a proposed 4% increase in next year’s budget.

“They’re definitely getting someone who will hit the ground running,” Coley said of Brooklyn. “She has had to wear a bunch of hats (in Preston), definitely above and beyond.”

Brooklyn First Selectman Austin Tanner said he is excited to welcome Brosnan to town. Brosnan will arrive at a time of staff transitions in Brooklyn, Tanner said, with the retirement of an administrative assistant and discussions about what duties to set for new staff. Brosnan will get the chance to frame the department.

“She’s very community orientated,” Tanner said. “She wants to involve the whole community. She’s very outgoing. I was quite impressed with our interview with her.”

c.bessette@theday.com