Interview with Stephen C. Bentley of The City of Raleigh in Raleigh, NC

Summary: Stephen and I talk all about the City of Raleigh Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Stephen's journey from a focus on physical education to leading a team of 1,800 (seasonal peak) team members
- How the department is funded.
- The value of an ethic of conservation.
- How the Raleigh Greenway system encompasses over 4,000 acres of land.

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About Stephen C. Bentley: 
Stephen C. Bentley is the Director of the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department and part of the City’s Management Team. With a career spanning over 20 years, he has worked for public park agencies at the federal, state and local levels of government. 

As Director of the Raleigh Parks Department, he is responsible for overseeing the mission, vision and equitable values of Raleigh’s system. For more than a decade, Stephen has worked with elected officials, community and business leaders on approximately $350M in park and recreation improvements across the City. Stephen has extensive experience in public park planning, community engagement, public space design, funding and public-private partnership strategies. 

The values that guide Stephen’s work include collaboration, inclusion and empowerment. 

Stephen has a bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University in Recreation and Leisure Services Management in Pennsylvania and received his master’s degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Administration from Michigan State University. He holds certificates from National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Directors School, North Carolina State University Natural Resources Leadership Institute, and the University of North Carolina Municipal Administrators Program. 

Stephen is active in several national organizations and local nonprofits supporting efforts for everyone to live a healthy life.

Connect with Stephen: Website | LinkedIn 

Mentioned in the show:
City of Raleigh Museum
Raleigh Urban Forestry
Raleigh Parks Board
Raleigh Parks Newsletter - MyRaleigh Subscriptions 
Recless Podcast
Podcast Raleigh: Ernest Dollar, City of Raleigh Museum

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you c