Dorchester resident Leonard M. Lee, Sr. was sworn in as the newest member of the Boston Parks and Recreation Commission at the Commission’s October 28 public meeting. 

The seven-person review body is appointed by the Mayor.

 In his current position with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Lee acts as general manager for the Melnea Cass Recreation Complex in Roxbury with responsibility for the total operation of Melnea Cass Recreation Complex, Roxbury Heritage State Park, and Dillaway Thomas House. As part of his role, Lee organizes exhibits and concerts and hosts lectures and educational programs. 

Lee has decades of experience in public health, most recently as director of the Division of Violence and Injury Prevention at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health overseeing a $30 million budget and managing four units: Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention; Child and Youth Violence Prevention; Suicide Prevention; and Injury Prevention and Control.  Prior to taking on the senior managerial role at the Department of Public Health, Lee served as the Unit Manager of Child and Youth Violence Prevention managing the Shaken Baby Syndrome, Youth Violence Prevention, and Safe Spaces for LGBTQ Youth programs.

Lee was also an Executive Director at a number of nonprofits throughout the Boston area, including the Roxbury YMCA, ABCD, Inc., Dorchester Neighborhood Service Center, Odwin Learning Center, and the Wang Theater.

Lee joins current Boston Parks and Recreation Commission members Elisa Birdseye, Anne Connolly, William Epperson, David Queeley, Boston Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ryan Woods, and Boston’s Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space Christopher Cook. His appointment began July 22 and ends July 7, 2023.