Horsham Hires New Park Director

Tom Hibbs is "passionate" about outdoor programs.

Perhaps not coincidentally, more than 800 acres of parks and open space situated in the 17-square-mile Horsham Township are ripe for the outdoor program picking. 

Hibbs, of Upper Southampton Township, last week assumed the role of Horsham's park and recreation director. He told Patch that he's looking at existing programs in an effort to "find what fits good for the residents of the township."

So far, Hibbs said he's considering a few ideas for the township's summer camps and wants to improve outdoor education and environmental education programs.

"I was a boy scout and in fact one of my previous jobs was with the Scouts," Hibbs said, adding that the Boy Scouts "gave me my first taste of the great outdoors."

Hibbs graduated from Penn State University in 1994 with a parks and recreation degree. He has served as a parks and recreation volunteer for the last 20 years.

Within his Bucks County hometown Hibbs led the formation of the Penn-Tammany Greenway Coalition, a rails to trails effort, which he helped evolve into a nonprofit organization. 

Outgoing parks and recreation director Mark Hudson, who had overseen the department for the last five years, touted Hibbs' trail experience as a definite plus. 

"He brings a lot of experience with trails and nature," Hudson said, adding that the township's Power Line Trail is the "most-used" amenity year-round. "Our trails are definitely very important to us."

Hudson, a Horsham Township employee of 11 years, has been promoted to the director of administration position. His move to oversee the township's "day-to-day operations" under township manager Bill Walker left a vacancy that Hibbs has filled. 

For Hibbs, a local business owner, long-time parks volunteer and outdoor enthusiast, bringing his passion to Horsham was a natural fit. 

"I’m very familiar with Horsham Township and I’m already involved with the local community," he said. "I enjoy being here. I don’t live very far. I like the parks that are in Horsham."