Avalon’s Longtime Recreation Director Retires May 31

AVALON – Longtime Avalon Department of Recreation Director Dave Haberle came to Avalon in April, 1980 and immediately realized that he was hired by a Borough filled with community pride and activities for year-‘round children and summer visitors. Over the past 31 years, Haberle formed many friendships, helped countless organizations, and saw the number of activities, sports programs, concerts, and special events grow over the past three decades making Avalon one of the premiere family destinations along the entire East Coast of the United States.
After a long career at the helm of the Avalon Department of Recreation, Haberle has decided to retire. His last day will be May 31st, 2011.
“The people of the town have been fantastic”, Haberle said. “It’s truly an honor to know people for 31 years. Friendships develop when you have such a long-standing relationship with people in the community. I may not live in Avalon, but the people of Avalon are so wonderful, I call Avalon my home”.
Haberle decided to retire from Avalon for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, retirement will allow Haberle to spend more time with his wife, family, and grandchildren. “I’ve had Thursdays and Sundays off forever, and now with two days in a row off, or more, I can spend time with my family and get more work done around the house, and spend time at our second home in the Poconos”.
Haberle became aware of the full time recreation opportunity in Avalon after he graduated college from Penn State University with a degree in recreation/parks administration. He subscribed to a recreation bulletin that was mailed twice a month. More than 120 people applied for the position as recreation director in Avalon, and Haberle was hired on April 28th, 1980. Since then, the Avalon Department of Recreation has grown with new facilities, many free special events, sports camps offered by professionals in their field, and free concerts for locals and visitors throughout the summer.
“The steady, effective leadership of Avalon mayor and council through the years has enabled the recreation department to grow and offer many activities in the Borough”, Haberle said. “There has always been plenty of support for the department of recreation. Mayor and council have made sure that funds have been available to enhance and improve the programs and facilities in the Borough. Avalon continues to be very friendly and helpful to all of the organizations and non-profit groups in our community”.
Haberle notes that there have been many additions and improvements to recreation facilities during his tenure as director. Some of those improvements have been the addition of the 39th Street tennis courts, skate park, basketball courts, and playgrounds. The Bay Park Marina also came under the jurisdiction of the Avalon Department of Recreation. There have also been many new recreational activities added through the years. Many of them evolved thanks to input from the community.
“One day, a gentlemen asked me if I ever heard of the game ‘Pickle Ball’”, Haberle said. “We gave it a try and taped some lines down for one court. Since then, Pickle Ball has taken on a life of its own. Every Tuesday and Thursday we have 20 to 30 people show up to play”.
Haberle says that finding activities and events for a community like Avalon is always a moving target. “You always have to explore trends in the recreation community”, he said. “In recent years, fitness activities have really evolved with the popularity of Zumba, pilates, and yoga. They continue to be very popular. We have the groundwork in place to continue and improve the activities in Avalon thanks to an incredible staff. The community organizations, the Avalon Free Public Library, the business groups…they all succeed in making Avalon a great place to live and vacation. We have families plan their Avalon vacations around the various sports camps that are offered throughout the summer. That’s very rewarding”.
“What makes it even better is many of the activities, concerts, and events offered in Avalon are free”, he continued. “You have a wonderful natural resource with the beach. You cannot compete with it, but you can include it. Proof of that is our popular beach movie series throughout the summer. On any given night, Avalon will have hundreds of families on the beach to see a free movie. Some show up early with a pizza and make an evening of it”.
Haberle insists that he will not be a stranger to the Borough of Avalon. In fact, after his retirement he will stay very busy assisting the Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Foundation in Avalon by helping with special events and publicity. He says he may consider substitute teaching during the fall and winter, and he will become a member of many Avalon community organizations include the Avalon Lions Club, Avalon Garden Club, Avalon Civic Club, and Avalon Seniors, just to name a few.
“I’d like to not only thank Avalon Mayor Marty Pagliughi and the Avalon Borough Council for their continued support of the recreation department, but also the dozens of Borough employees as well”, Haberle said. “They are my friends, and we all work together for one common goal: Make Avalon a premiere spot to live, own a home, and vacation for many years to come”.