Bergen County Parks: A Masterplan Next Steps & the Importance of Parks & Open Space During COVID-19

Feb 23, 2021 6:00 PM

James Koth

James Koth was appointed as the 13^th Director of the Bergen County Department of Parks & Recreation on July 20, 2015. Working to identify the current and future needs of the Parks Department, he commissioned a master plan for parks and open space throughout Bergen County and is currently directing and overseeing this initiative, the first in its kind in the 70 year history of the Parks Department. Director Koth also serves as a tireless advocate for building upon the successes of the past; increasing access to recreational and educational programming, upgrading existing infrastructure and facilities, identifying need for new parkland, preservation of open space, and protection of our environmental resources.

Prior to his employment with the County, Director Koth worked on several significant public projects over his 20 year career, most notably, Hudson River Park which transformed Lower Manhattan’s waterfront from its former industrial use into a new 5 mile, 550 acre park. He has also served as the Director of Public Works & Engineering for the City of Englewood, NJ.

Director Koth graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, and is a registered Landscape Architect in the State(s) of New York & New Jersey.

Director Koth currently resides in Oradell, NJ with his wife and two children. Always community focused, he has served as a member of the Oradell Borough Council as Council President and Police Commissioner and as a member and past chairman of the Oradell Planning Board. Director Koth also serves as a third generation member of the Oradell Volunteer Fire Department for the past 25 years as a firefighter, engineer, and former lieutenant.