Ed Marks grew up here, participating in Newtown Parks & Recreation activities and playing sports on fields across town throughout his childhood, and continued to do so in men’s softball leagues while his children followed in his sports-playing footprints. For the past decade and a half, Marks has played a significant role in the progress of athletics and recreation on those very same fields, first serving on the Newtown Parks & Recreation Commission, and eventually becoming chairman in 2007.

His dedication and concern for the betterment of recreational activity in town have earned Marks, 53, The Newtown Bee’s Harmon Award for Sportsman of the Year — named in honor of former Bee Sports Editor Kim Harmon — for 2014.

His wife, Tammy Marks, earned The Bee’s sportsman honors in 2010 for her volunteer work as a scheduler and coach for the Newtown Youth Basketball Association.

Ed Marks joined the commission at the turn of the century because he had long been frustrated with the lack of fields, and quality of those available for Babe Ruth Baseball teams. Marks coached all four of his sons, Brandon, Jason, Chris, and Steve, while they were playing ball (his youngest child, Ashley, also played some sports while growing up).

“I had served on the Newtown Babe Ruth board for some time and felt that the Parks & Recreation Commission was a way for me to have a broader say in Parks & Recreation issues,” Marks said.

He played a key role in the commission changing how fields were maintained and shared by the growing number of organizations that use the baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and other venues.

From Athlete To Athlete Advocate

His involvement in sports in town has come full circle. Marks, a Newtown resident since 1968, attended day camp every summer, then worked at the camp as counselor and site leader before coming back later to join the commission.

In his senior year of high school, in 1979, Marks and the baseball team went 18-4 and was state runner-up — quite an accomplishment given the home field was declared unfit for play, forcing the team to play all 22 games on the road.

“Maybe that’s where my frustration with Newtown fields really began,” ponders Marks, noting that the team was allowed to practice on the unplayable-for-games field.

After having swung for the fences in organized baseball and softball leagues, Marks is working with other commission members to hit home runs … in a manner of speaking — installing new fields, renovating parks, and addressing other projects.

In 2005, Marks served as commission vice chairman and in 2006-07, began serving as acting chair when then-chairman Larry Haskel began spending part of the year out of state, Marks recalls. By the end of 2007, Marks believes, he became the official chairman.

 “I was a little leery about doing that,” he said of the process of easing into the role as commissioner.

But it’s proven to be a good match for Marks; a lot has been accomplished under his volunteer-based direction.

“I am extremely lucky to be working with great people from Newtown Parks and Recreation,” said Marks, specifying Amy Mangold (director of Parks & Recreation), Carl Samuelson, (assistant director of parks), and RoseAnn Reggiano (assistant director of recreation). “They are the most critical drivers of Newtown Parks and Recreation success. Besides them, I have the good fortune of working with selfless, dedicated colleagues on the Parks and Recreation Commission who are focused on making Newtown’s recreational experiences better and better for our residents.”

The commission consists of seven volunteers who work together and with Parks & Rec officials.

“We help serve as an advocate for the Parks and Recreation Department as well as for recreational organizations that use town facilities,” Marks said.

Lots Of Progress

Since 2000, through partnerships with and contributions from local recreational organizations, Newtown has constructed Liberty Fields, renovated Dickinson and Treadwell Parks, and Newtown Middle School softball fields, the middle school and Sandy Hook baseball fields, Watertown baseball field, installed two artificial turf fields at Treadwell Park, renovated Oakview Field, constructed High Meadow Baseball Field at Fairfield Hills, installed lights at a high school multipurpose field, renovated two outdoor basketball courts, reconstructed the Dickinson and Treadwell tennis courts, constructed a trail around Dickinson Park, completed construction of a dog park, and assumed management of Eichler’s Cove Marina.

That’s only a partial list of what’s transpired, and there is still a lot to be done — and Marks is far from content. Marks is in favor of improving the town’s recreational trail system, but it hinges on cooperation from necessary commissions, he said.

“One of my concerns is that we do not have good connectivity between our in-town trails. We need to work to link the trail system in town and we need greater support to establish this connectivity, which would involve crossing streets and utilizing easements,” Marks said.

He notes that two previous Trail Committees, working with the commission, have failed to garner support from other town agencies to move forward with various projects for walking and biking paths. “This is extremely frustrating for Parks and Recreation and the Trails Committees. It has not been due to lack of effort,” Marks said.

The commission has made strides despite not only a growing number of leagues and teams, but also a shrinking budget.

“We’ve had to tighten our belts like everybody else,” Marks said.

Marks is hopeful that the community center will be completed by the end of 2016, opening the door for expansion of programs, such as swim-related sessions. Marks notes, for example, that the addition of a pool would create programs that cater to senior citizens, along with possibly water polo, and more swimming lessons.

Responsibilities And More Progress

In addition to holding monthly meetings, Marks speaks with commission members and Parks & Rec officials three to four times per week regarding budgets, programming, field use, the proposed community center, and other items.

There are more than 40 fields, including those on school grounds, not to mention parks — tennis court maintenance and replacement included — that the commission works with.

“Unfortunately, there are not enough facilities to go around,” Marks said. “We’re consistently worried about making sure we serve Newtown first.”

Within the field use topic is the subject of out-of-town residents and enforcement of field use policies. The juggling act of finding field space for teams is only one of the topics up for discussion between Marks and the other commissioners and recreation personnel.

Even in the so-called offseason, parks maintenance and field staff is tapped to help clear snow at school and municipal building parking lots.

In addition to working with national organizations, such as Babe Ruth Baseball, the commission works with in-house organizations to offer computer and fitness classes, and art programs, for example.

“As Director of the Parks and Recreation Department I can appreciate firsthand the contribution of time and energy that Ed gives to this community. Ed goes above and beyond the duties of a chairman because he truly cares about the facilities and programs in Newtown and the positive impact that the Parks and Recreation department provides to the residents,” Mangold said.

 “Marks has incredible knowledge of many sports and recreation activities due to his involvement and expertise. … And spends countless hours attending meetings, preparing reports, writing letters working with sports groups, attending events and giving 100 percent as a dedicated sportsman and volunteer to Newtown,” Mangold addes. “This award is well deserved as Ed has made and continues to make such positive impact on our community  with the time and talent that he so generously offers.”

Marks, like the other commissioners, does all of this on a volunteer basis. He works as a trust officer with JPMorgan in Greenwich, having started with a predecessor firm back in 1985. He also serves as treasurer of Friends of Boothe Park, an organization dedicated to the caretaking and improvement of the Stratford park.

“I love seeing progress. That’s what motivates me,” said Marks, adding that he’s excited about the progress that’s been made and looking forward to seeing future improvements.