Bari B. Thomas, CPRP, CPO, M.Ed, has served the Longmeadow Parks and Recreation Department for over 12 years in many capacities. Prior to becoming the Recreation Director in 1999, Bari was the 56 Club Coordinator, Teen Center Director and Director of School Age Services. She briefly served the Springfield YMCA as the Director of School Age Services, operating before and after school programs in over 10 sites as well as planned and implemented all Day Camps for the Department to serve over 300 children. Bari served the Springfield School system in 1995 as a substitute teacher serving preschool- grade 9 in a variety of schools.

Bari received her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and psychology from Springfield College in 1995. She completed her Master of Education degree in 2001 in Recreation Management, which she also received from Springfield College.

While working in School Age Care, Bari has served as a committee member for the Massachusetts School Age Coalition and was nominated to their Board in 1998. She served the Springfield Family Support Coalition as a committee member and was a member of the Western MA Child Care Cluster of the Eastfield YMCA. Currently, Bari serves as a member of the Pioneer Valley Parks and Recreation Association, the Massachusetts Parks and Recreation Association, the National Parks and Recreation Association and NEPA. She is a trainer for the National Youth Sports Coaches Alliance, conducting several trainings each year for coaching in many sports, including baseball, cheerleading, track, football and t-ball.  She holds the national Serv-Safe certification, is a Certified Pool Operator and holds a 7-D Pupil Transport license. Bari is also a Notary Public.  She also serves on the MRPA Executive Board as the West Region Representative.

In addition to serving as the Town’s Director of Parks and Recreation, Bari is an adjunct professor with the Sports Management, Recreation and Tourism Department at Springfield College where she has taught Finance Management and currently teaches Recreation Management to undergraduate students each fall.