Meet the new Queens parks commissioner at APA meeting

On Tuesday, April 2, the Astoria Park Alliance will host its monthly Community Voice Meeting at Bohemian Hall, starting at 7 p.m.

There, they will introduce new Queens parks commissioner Michael Dockett to the community.

Docket was appointed Queens commissioner in March. He has worked for 33 years with NYC Parks, most recently as Assistant Commissioner for the Urban Park Service.

Dockett succeeded Dorothy Lewandowski, who retired after holding the position for 14 years.

Here’s Dockett’s bio, courtesy of NYC Parks:

Michael Dockett began his career with Parks in 1984 as an Urban Park Ranger in Queens. He rose through the ranks to become a Ranger Supervisor and Borough Director in Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn and the Bronx. Dockett then went on to become the Director of Central Communications, and was later promoted to Park & Recreation Manager of Brooklyn’s District 17 & 18, as well as being the borough’s Green Street Manager. Dockett became Brooklyn’s Chief of Recreation, prior to returning to the Urban Park Service as its Chief and eventual Assistant Commissioner.

Michael Dockett has served as the Assistant Commissioner for the Urban Park Service since 2008. In this role, he was responsible for the operations of the Parks Enforcement Patrol, Central Communications, and Emergency Management for the agency, and also oversaw critical enforcement operations and health and safety compliance during the outdoor pool and beach seasons.

As Assistant Commissioner, and in conjunction with other agencies, he oversaw the growth of the Park Enforcement Patrol from 216 officers in 2007 to 351 today. He also established and implemented plans in response to coastal storms and other hazards impacting parks, and assisted in the opening of Cedar Grove Beach in Staten Island. In 2016, Dockett received the Mary Purcell Award at Parks’ Annual Awards ceremony, in recognition of his long lasting influence on the Maintenance, Operations, and Urban Park Service divisions.

Dockett earned an undergraduate degree in Accounting from York College, CUNY and a master’s degree in Business Administration from St. John’s University. He lives in Laurelton, Queens, with his wife Anne-Marie, son and daughter Michael and Adrianna, mother-in-law Marie, and their dog, Titan. He enjoys camping, singing in his church choir, and is an Assistant Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America.

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