Giving Rye is a feature series highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Erin Mantz of Rye Recreation.
Your Name: Erin Mantz
Name of your organization: Rye Recreation
Your role: Superintendent
MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission
Mantz: The Rye Recreation Department strives to enrich the lives of our residents by providing safe and welcoming parks, facilities, recreation programs and events for people of all ages. We work in partnership with our residents and in cooperation with other recreation service providers in the community in order to maximize all available resources. We are dedicated to building healthy communities and enriching the quality of life through people, parks and programs.
How long have you operated in or around Rye?
Mantz: At least since 1948 – 77 years.
What programming or work is the organization best known for?
Mantz:
- Rye Recreation Summer Day Camps. We provide summer camps for those ages 3 to grade 8. Kiddy Camp, Day Camp and Camp 78. Camps also allow us to employ local young adults to be junior counselors and counselors.
- Programming for all ages (age 0 all the way up through senior adult). We offer programs all throughout the day and our Youth Time Off programs have been extremely popular lately with most having a waitlist.
- Annual special events such as Halloween Window Painting and Turkey Run.
Looking forward to 2026, what will be your top initiatives?
Mantz:
- Continue to provide meaningful, fun, enriching programs for all ages.
- Continue the traditions of Rye Recreation but progress with the times and needs of the community.
- Expand and improve City Recreation facilities.
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services.
Mantz: Rye Recreation is here to serve City of Rye Residents. Rye Recreation manages Recreation Park, Disbrow Park, Nursery Field, Gagliardo Park, Damiano Recreation Center and McDonald Building. We publish 4 seasonal activity brochures.
Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status?
Mantz: Government municipality.
Looking back across 2025, what were your organization’s top achievements?
Mantz:
- Providing a 5-week summer camp program for 710 campers.
- Opening the newly renovated Nursery Field
- Having 390 members in our senior program.
How can local residents support your organization?
Mantz: Participate in our programs and events. Visit one of our facilities. Donate to the Camp Scholarship Fund.
What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?
Mantz: We have had so many supportive residents over the last 75 years. I would have to shout out those that sit and have sat on the Recreation Commission as a steadfast, dedicated, guiding light for the Recreation Department. Local Business: Jerry’s Post Road Market, Piazza, Carpet Trends, Sportech, Pet Pantry, Rye Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Longfords and all the businesses that have let us use their store front windows for Halloween Window Painting. [We] can always count on the following local groups to help support our special events and camp scholarship fund: Rye Professional Firefighters Local 2029, American Legion Post 128, The Woman’s Club and Children’s Philanthropy, Kirby Golf Outing, Agatha Durland Foundation, Rye School PTOs.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Mantz: I have worked for the City of Rye Recreation Department for a total of 13 years. I have been superintendent for three years.
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
Mantz: Full Time. Paid.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Mantz: Sunshine
Where did you grow up?
Mantz: I grew up in Peekskill, NY, which is in upper Westchester. A beautiful, diverse city.
What principles guide you when you have to make a difficult decision?
Mantz: How will this impact the overall picture?
What excites you most about the future—for yourself or for the world?
Mantz: Overall growth excites me. I love exploring and finding what the next innovative thing will be. I went to the National Recreation and Parks Association Conference for the first time this year and the vendor hall was so exciting … drone shows, two story high playgrounds, synthetic ice rinks, self cleaning restrooms, the list goes on.
Where do you live and how many years have you lived there?
Mantz: Ridgefield, Connecticut.
Thanks Erin!
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