Insider Edition #106 - July 14, 2026

The Town of Windsor’s Parks and Recreation Department is comprised of the Parks and Facilities Maintenance Division and the Recreation Division. One maintains the Town’s public spaces while the other organizes the events and programs that build community. Together, these divisions create the places and experiences that help make Windsor feel like home.

Leading the department is Parks and Recreation Director Olivia Lemen, who started with the Town in 2014. “This is the first time I have worked in the same Town I live in,” says Lemen. “I live here, I work here, I recreate here, my kids go to school here, I volunteer here, I grocery shop here--Windsor is truly home for me. Every decision I make in my professional life impacts me personally as well.”

Summer is the busiest season for the Parks and Recreation team. Every Thursday through the end of August, the Town Green becomes a sea of colorful lawn chairs, blankets, and canopies, as the sounds of the Summer Nights on the Green concert series fill the air, along with the delicious aroma from the food vendors at the Windsor Certified Farmers Market. On Tuesday evenings, residents can enjoy Family Movies on the Green while snacking on concessions provided by Sonoma County Premier Soccer Club.

When asked about her favorite Town event, Recreation Division Manager Nelle Herman replied, “Summer Nights on the Green is the obvious answer but my all-time favorite Town event is a tie between Windsor Kaboom (presented annually on July 3rd by Active 20-30) and Trick-or-Treat Trail (scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026). Both events bring out big diverse crowds.” 

With each program, Herman enjoys seeing new and returning seasonal staff—Recreation Leaders, Facility Attendants, and Lifeguards. “One of my favorite things is witnessing new staff (often still in high school), return to work for us year after year,” says Herman. “We have part-time staff that return three, four, or even five summers in a row while finishing college and they learn how to responsibly manage their schedule, develop their communication skills, and practice good decision-making.”

In the fall and winter, the department will team up with various nonprofit organizations to present exciting events such as Fiestas Patrias (Somos Windsor), the Windsor Day Parade (Kiwanis Club), the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove (People4Parks Foundation), and Holiday Celebration. Without community partnerships, dedicated volunteers, and generous sponsors, these beloved Windsor events would not be possible.

For Parks and Facilities Superintendent Charlie Johnson, who joined the Town in 2003, the most rewarding part of the job is simple: watching people enjoy the spaces his team works hard to maintain 365 days per year. His full-time staff of 12 oversee the Town’s 19 parks, 26 miles of streetscapes, and the Town’s public facilities. From weed abatement and irrigation repairs to tree maintenance, playground inspections, HVAC repairs, and pool cleaning, the team works year-round to ensure Windsor residents can enjoy safe and clean public spaces.

Like many agencies, the Town of Windsor is navigating rising costs, limited revenues, and increasing demands on services. “We are stretched thin and are trying to keep up on the workload,” explains Lemen. “It is getting more and more difficult to keep up with the expectation and quality we are used to. We don’t like leaving things incomplete or in disrepair, however we are forced to do so during this current fiscal crisis and it is a challenge every day.”

While navigating limited resources and difficult decisions, one theme emerged consistently in conversations with the department's leadership: the people behind the work.

“We have an incredible team of people who work for the Town who also live in this community and are here for the right reasons,” says Lemen. “The public often doesn’t understand what we do or why we do it, but I see the dedication on a daily basis, and I am in awe of what we accomplish.”

At its July 15 meeting, the Town Council will proclaim July as Parks Make Life Better Month in Windsor. As we celebrate Parks Make Life Better Month, take time to enjoy one of Windsor's parks, attend a recreation program or community event, or simply thank a member of the Parks & Recreation team for the work they do every day to make Windsor a great place to live, work, and play.

For more information, including upcoming events, the Recreation Guide, park directory, facility rentals, and more, visit https://www.townofwindsor.ca.gov/1508/Parks-Recreation or call (707) 838-1260.