With the selection of 20-year National Park Service (NPS) veteran Michael T. Reynolds as the superintendent of the Fire Island National Seashore, the island settles into an agenda that will pick up where Reynolds’ predecessor and friend David Spirtes left off. He has been called the “JFK of Fire Island” and the “21st century park superintendent,” by residents and fellow park employees. Reynolds comes across as an easy to talk to and down-to-earth guy who has a lot of ideas, a bit of interesting Long Island history (he knew that William Floyd was an original signer of the Declaration of Independence) and even some good advice about allergy medicine. With the sudden passing of former Superintendent David Spirtes from cancer last April, the Seashore has been without an official superintendent. Reynolds replaced former deputy and acting superintendent Barry Sullivan, who has since been promoted to superintendent of Gateway National Recreational Area in New York City and New Jersey.

Reynolds’ extensive career in the NPS spans 20 years and a number of states. He has served as a natural resource planner at the NPS Denver Service Center in Colorado, chief of resources management for the Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts, Chief of Resources and Special Park Uses at Mojave National Preserve in California. He then served two years in Washington D.C. headquarters as a legislative liaison for the Bureau of Land Management. In 2002 he became the chief of planning and senior staff to the superintendent at Yosemite National Park and served as Yosemite’s liaison to the Yosemite Fund, the park’s nonprofit foundation.

Q. What is your impression of the beach and its communities?
A. “Well, I am the third generation in the park service. I guess you could say I am in the family business,” he chuckles lightheartedly as he explains his affinity for the beach. “The beach is incredibly diverse -- the residents and the communities. Each town is like an individual -- complex and positive. [Fire Island] cannot be easily contained in one description. There are all different elements present. Cherry Grove is known for its fun atmosphere and Point O’ Woods and Chautauqua are like camp almost.”

Q. What are the similarities and differences between Fire Island and Yosemite?
A. “It is not always easy to bring former experience to the table. The similarities between the parks are that there are people trying to live and work in a protected area. I can take that experience from Cape Cod, being interactive with the tourism interface, but it is different in many ways. There are a lot of common issues -- beach management and the erosion issue. It is going to take me a while to acclimate but I am really open-minded to the community’s voices. The differences lie mostly with the year-rounders; it is fascinating how interested the community is in protecting the natural resources and how we can build around those protected areas. These are issues that are faced around the country.”

Q. What are your short-term goals (within a year)? What are some of your long-term goals?
A. “There’s a lot of catching up to do. I intend to work on the new general management plan, to start in the next year. We are preparing ourselves to get the driving regulations out for review by fall. There are also a lot of rehabilitation needs to be addressed—Sailor’s Haven, Watch Hill and at the west-end entrance of Robert Moses near the lighthouse. The fund and proposed project to build an entrance station and restrooms that don’t yet exist has not been out for public review yet but will be in a couple of months. We would like to move the check station a few hundred yards, with the cooperation of the state. We have the new concessions contract; we are very excited to have [Davis Park Ferry Company] as partners. We are also launching a program involving graduate business students; it is called the Business Plan Initiative, run from our Washington office. We take top-tier students from prestigious schools and they will get involved with the budget. They will work on how to be more efficient and realize what the budget needs will be.”

Q. What is your philosophy and approach to being the superintendent to FINS?
A. “I listen a lot, I ask questions. I want to establish a relationship and a connection before I forge a philosophy. I am trying to meet people in a cross section, really get to know them. First I want to meet the community on Fire Island, then Brookhaven and Islip; there is a lot of common ground among the communities. I will be listening, learning and making connections. I don’t want to rush into judgments right away. I am interested in holding some type of open forum; there is not enough communication. I don’t want to come across as naïve, like I can fix everything with talking, but I believe the people here really have a sense of stewardship. I can feel it, I can see it. For now my philosophy is to be visible, be consistent.”

Q. In the past there has been some animosity between the community and the Seashore. How will you address that issue?
A. “I don’t think it has to be about that contention. We want to have some type of Fire Island forum where community leaders can come and have their concerns addressed. A civic engagement that encourages open communications so before [voting] deadlines we can start talking about what is on everyone’s mind. We need to understand frustrations and make a smooth line of communication between town and government. I can’t change the past but I can influence the future and that is where I am going to put my energy. I want people to know that I am here to stay, that there will be consistent leadership, stability and commitment. If you need to be heard then call, write, ban together. We are listening.”

Reynolds lives in Center Moriches with his wife of five years, Amy, and their two and a half year-old daughter Grace Ann. Reynolds will be using a park facility office on Fire Island. To contact Superintendent Reynolds call (631) 289-4810 ext. 224 or write to Superintendent Michael T. Reynolds at Fire Island National Seashore, 120 Laurel Street, Patchogue, NY 11772.