PARKS OFFICIAL DOWNPLAYS 1996 AWARD\Association honors Rancho Simi manager.

Byline: Terry Kanakri Daily News Staff Writer

Despite severe budget cuts that forced trims to park district staff and programs, Jerry Gladden smiles somewhat in relief when he drives through the community and sees activity at the parks.

"There's just a great sense of accomplishment when you can see products of your labor and drive around and see the various parks and know that you had a hand in them being there," says Gladden, general manager of the Rancho Simi Park and Recreation District.

Gladden is responsible for 65 employees and a 113-square-mile district that provides Simi Valley and Oak Park residents with parks and indoor and outdoor recreation activities.

This year Gladden has garnered the California Association of Park & Recreation Commissioners & Board Members' 1996 Outstanding Park and Recreation Professional Award.

"I'm not one that is big on awards," said Gladden, 63. "I didn't know I even was nominated. My staff pulled a sneaky, but it's pretty exciting. At first I couldn't believe it. It came as a total shock, it's quite an honor. But I was very pleased once the shock wore off."

Park district board chairman Don Funk says the award is well deserved.

"He really is a public servant in the truest sense," said Funk, who has known Gladden for 19 years. "He really loves the district and for that, the public benefits because he's a very good manager."

Officials say Gladden has steered the park district through tough economic times, having lost $3.7 million in state revenues over a four-year period that resulted in the layoffs of 16 employees.

Realizing that limited property tax dollars were not going to be enough to operate and maintain the district, Gladden aggressively pursued federal and state grants.

Under Gladden's leadership, the district has been awarded $1.87 million in federal grants, $4.13 million in state grants, $40,000 in Ventura County grants, and $12,500 in private grant sources for a total of more than $6 million, according to Assistant General Manager Al Church.

Among other things the grants have been used to plant more than 2,000 trees in 14 parks and one trail system, develop a 7-mile public bicycle path, refurbish the Santa Susana railroad depot, and acquire land to develop parks and recreation programs.

Gladden's other accomplishments include:

Establishing the Rancho Simi Foundation, a nonprofit group that raised money for district programs and projects.

Serving on formation committees that helped create two statewide insurance pools that have reduced premium payments for workers' compensation and general liability and property insurance for recreation and park districts.

Establishing a volunteer program office designed to get funding sponsorship from corporations, service clubs and individuals.

"His dedication is total," said board member Jim Meredith. "He believes that we're here to serve the people and give them the best recreation and give them the best park system that we can."

Gladden grew up in Oklahoma, moved to California with his parents in 1946, and settled in Azusa where he graduated from high school in 1951. Gladden then enrolled in Citrus Junior College, but left to join the Navy for four years as a communications electrician.

After a brief stint with Lockheed working as an electrician, Gladden enrolled at Mount San Antonio Junior College, where he received an associate's degree in business administration. He later enrolled in San Diego State College, where he earned a business administration degree.

Gladden began his career with the Rancho Simi Park district in July 1969 as an administrative assistant. He was later promoted to administrative services officer, an became general manager in 1978.

Gladden, who lives with his wife, Donna, and has three children and four grandchildren, said he feels that parks and recreation programs are an essential part of any community.

"Anyone and everyone can enjoy a park," said Gladden, a Simi Valley resident since 1963. "I think residents enjoy them and feel good about their neighborhood and community having access to those facilities. Very often, it contributes to the economic vitality of a community."

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO

Photo (color) GLADDEN