Sara L. Hensley has been named as the new director of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department. She begins her assignment on April 10 and replaces L.B. Scacewater, who retired in December.

Hensley, 48, has served as director for the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department in San Jose, Calif., since 2002.

A 23-year parks and recreation veteran, Hensley will oversee a $108 million annual budget and a staff of more than 1,600 employees.

Hensley is a member of several national parks and recreation organizations and recipient of many prestigious awards, including the David E. Clark Distinguished Professional Award, the highest citation the American Parks and Recreation Society can bestow on a parks and recreation professional for truly exceptional service and leadership.

Hensley was selected after an extensive national recruitment process that included community panels comprised of neighborhood and business community leaders, current and former Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board members and Parks Bond Committee members.

"We are delighted and proud to have on our team someone with the impressive credentials, experience and expertise that Hensley brings to Phoenix," said Rick Naimark, deputy city manager.

"The city's Park and Recreation Department and Phoenix residents will benefit greatly from her vision, leadership skills and team-oriented approach," Naimark added.