Community leader Debby Lamanna retires after 28 years working for Middletown Township
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
March has been a bittersweet month for Debby Lamanna. After 28 years, this beloved Middletown Township resident said goodbye to her longtime role as director of parks and recreation to embark on a new journey of retirement. Before Lamanna set off for sunny Florida, where she’ll permanently reside with her husband, she chatted with The Times about her lengthy career and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Lamanna lived in Philadelphia for some time after getting married before making the move to Middletown in 1984. It was after this transition to Bucks County that Lamanna discovered her passion for community involvement, serving as president of the PTO at her son’s school, assisting the local Girl Scout troop and joining the arts and cultural committee.
During the spring of 1990, Lamanna officially began working for Middletown, where she was put in charge of the summer recreation program. The township was in a pinch and desperately needed a qualified individual to step in. After several years of volunteering in the area, it was a natural next step.
“I thought, I’ll just do this for a year,” she reflected.
But that one year quickly turned into 10. Lamanna had an undeniable talent when it came to her job, and it didn’t go unnoticed. In 2000, she was promoted to the full-time position of parks and recreation director and tasked with building the department from the ground up. It was a challenge she was more than willing to accept.
In the years that followed, Lamanna worked closely with the board of supervisors and township staff to develop programming and community events for Middletown residents of all ages. Some of her most notable accomplishments include the creation of favorite local celebrations such as the 4th of July Parade, Earth Day and the Holiday Open House.
Lamanna also played a pivotal role in preserving open space and developing parkland throughout the township, which led to the acquisition of Spring Valley Farm and the development of Veterans Park and Chris Jones Memorial Park, among many others. These efforts earned the township several awards for programming and open space during her tenure.
A standout moment for Lamanna was when she helped a passionate group of 13 and 14 year olds form a committee to get the construction of the township’s first skatepark underway. Though the teens who initially started the project were driving by the time it was built, Lamanna wouldn’t change a thing about the experience.
“It was quite an accomplishment,” she said of the finished project.
Reflecting on those years, she explained how the community stepped up to make the kids’ dream a reality, donating money and aiding with fundraising events. According to Lamanna, this is just one example of what can happen when people come together for a common cause, something she saw time and again throughout her years with Middletown.
“When people get involved in their community, it makes great things happen,” she said. “It’s all about working together as a team. People here are so committed and involved.”
Another career highlight for Lamanna was the exponential growth of the summer recreation program, which always held a special place in her heart even after her promotion. When she first came on board in 1990, the program was limited, only offering half days over a span of four weeks. Currently, it has capacity to host 475 kids for eight weeks, with available options of full and partial days.
“Now, it’s a great resource for the community,” Lamanna said.
In addition to her work in parks and recreation, Lamanna extended her influence into a number of community services. She served on the board of Bucks County Safe Kids, was an integral member of the Middletown Community Foundation, and was a founding member of the Middletown Citizens’ Service Corps and the Neshaminy Coalition for Youth, both of which work every day to improve the lives of local residents. These many contributions earned Lamanna the Community Service Award from the Bucks County Community Foundation in March 2017.
Unfortunately, even the most successful of careers must come to an end. Lamanna’s time with Middletown officially concluded on March 2, her final day in the office. Though she admitted she’ll miss working with the township, she has faith the department she built from scratch will continue to thrive under new leadership.
And after so many years, she’s excited to see what the next chapter of life has in store.
“We’re headed for the sunshine,” she said of her move to Florida. “If only Middletown had that weather.” ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
