Following the retirement of Rip Robertson in March, Tucker Parks and Recreation has a new director. Kregg Zulkeski hit the ground running in May, bringing a storied background to the department.
Zulkeski’s background is originally in music. The Connecticut native studied music in undergrad at University of Miami and joined the military as part of the United State Army Europe Band and Chorus in Sembach, Germany. After his time in the service, he returned to Connecticut in 2018 unsure of his plan for the future.
“I had this moment of, ‘What do I do now?” Zulkeski told Rough Draft. “I have a music degree, military experience, and nothing was quite lining up.”
He went back to school to get his Masters in Public Administration at Sacred Heart University with a concentration in emergency services, considering a career in law enforcement. But when a job in the Parks and Recreation department of Wilton, CT, appeared on his radar, he took a chance on what turned out to be a good fit.
During his tenure at Wilton Parks and Rec, Zulkeski got a second degree, this one in Recreation and Leisure Studies at Southern Connecticut State University. With two degrees and several certifications under his belt, he had his sights set on a director role; and after a brutal Connecticut winter, Zulkeski looked to the South and found the role in Tucker.
Five weeks after accepting the position, he had moved his family down to Georgia and was ready to take on summer camp and pool season. Now, after only a few months, Zulkeski says he enjoys Tucker and appreciates the residents’ engagement and love for the city.
“What I really appreciate about [Tucker] is the level of investment people have in the city,” he said. “…When [the parks department] plans projects and designs parks, people are really invested in the process because they are personally invested in the final outcome. You don’t see that everywhere. I think it’s great having that civic engagement, having people really be part of the process.”
Looking forward, Zulkeski is excited to add synthetic turf fields to some of Tucker’s parks and reinvest in the city’s pools. He encourages residents to experience Tucker’s parks and trails and join the Friends of Tucker Parks volunteer group to help support the department.
“Our parks and recreational programming are such an important part of what makes our community special,” Tucker Mayor Anne Lerner said of Zulkeski’s appointment. “Kregg brings the experience, energy, and heart for public service that we need to continue building on our success, and I’m excited to see where his leadership takes us.”
Tucker residents will be able to meet Zulkeski at the next Perk Up with Parks event on Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. at the Tucker Recreation Center. More information about Tucker Parks and Recreation can be found on the department’s website and social media.
