Town of Chapel Hill, NC

Kevin Robinson
Sr. Manager of Park Planning and Operations

Kevin manages the Planning, Park, and Landscape Maintenance Divisions within the Parks and Recreation Department. His responsibilities include managing staffing, budgets, and resources, as well as coordinating various projects and initiatives such as park, facility, and trail development and repairs. Kevin is known for his meticulous attention to detail and his exceptional ability to manage large-scale plans and designs tailored to specific locations.

He is also an expert in Right-of-Way enhancements, tree preservation, and arboriculture initiatives. Kevin assigns his team the task of handling related work and managing projects. This ensures the department operates at its best and is efficient. Kevin is a leader at building relationships and working closely with stakeholders, including staff from other departments, elected and appointed officials, and the public. He is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and resolving complex issues through effective negotiation and conflict resolution. Kevin is an invaluable asset to the Parks and Recreation Department. His leadership and expertise have played a vital role in the successful development and implementation of various projects and system plans. 

Tanner Thompson
Park Maintenance Superintendent

Tanner Thompson serves as the Park Maintenance Superintendent for the Town of Chapel Hill, where he leads the division responsible for the care and upkeep of the town’s parks, greenways, cemeteries, athletic fields, playgrounds, public rights-of-way, and tree canopy. His leadership ensures that Chapel Hill’s outdoor spaces remain safe, functional, and inviting for all who use them.

With more than two decades of experience in the landscaping and turf management industry, Tanner brings both expertise and passion to his role. He holds a North Carolina Irrigation Contractor’s License, a North Carolina Landscape Contractor’s License, and is a Certified Turfgrass Manager. This broad background allows him to guide his team in delivering high-quality maintenance across a wide range of public spaces, from athletic fields that host competitive sports to greenways that provide residents with daily opportunities for recreation and relaxation.

Tanner is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of Chapel Hill while meeting the community’s needs for safe and well-maintained parks and facilities. Under his direction, the Park Maintenance Division not only handles the day-to-day operations of landscape care and infrastructure upkeep, but also embraces long-term stewardship practices that support sustainability and enhance the overall quality of life for residents and visitors.

Zack Moran
Park Maintenance Supervisor

As Park Maintenance Supervisor for the Town of Chapel Hill, Zack Moran plays a vital role in keeping the town’s outdoor spaces safe, accessible, and welcoming for the community. He oversees the care and upkeep of playgrounds, greenways, natural surface trails, and athletic fields—ensuring these spaces are well-maintained and ready to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Zack is a Certified Turfgrass Manager, bringing specialized expertise to the maintenance of athletic fields and natural resources. His knowledge ensures that fields meet the highest standards for safety and performance while also supporting sustainable practices that protect the town’s landscapes for the long term.

Through his hands-on leadership and commitment to quality, Zack helps provide Chapel Hill with vibrant parks and recreation spaces that encourage play, recreation, and connection with the outdoors. Whether it’s preparing athletic fields for competition or maintaining greenways and trails for everyday use, his work supports the town’s mission to deliver exceptional public spaces for all.

Kiler Hamilton
Park Supervisor & ISA Certified Arborist

Kiler Hamilton is a Park Supervisor with the Town of Chapel Hill and an ISA Certified Arborist, bringing a strong background in tree care and public space management. His work plays a key role in keeping the Town’s streets, green spaces, and downtown areas both safe and welcoming for the community.

Kiler oversees maintenance along roadways, making sure trees, branches, and vegetation do not block traffic, intersections, street signs, or lights. This work helps drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians move safely throughout town. In Chapel Hill’s downtown, he coordinates the cleanup of waste and debris, as well as the upkeep of turf, landscaping, and other town-maintained spaces that add to the area’s appearance.

As an arborist, Kiler’s expertise extends to the full life cycle of trees—planting new trees, pruning them to encourage healthy growth and improve their appearance, inspecting them for health and safety, and removing them when necessary. His efforts not only enhance the beauty of the community but also promote long-term safety and sustainability.

Through his leadership and hands-on knowledge, Kiler helps ensure that Chapel Hill’s parks, streets, and public spaces reflect the Town’s commitment to quality, safety, and care for the environment.

Larry Rhodes
Park Maintenance Supervisor

Larry Rhodes serves as the Park Maintenance Supervisor for the Town of Chapel Hill, where he oversees the care and upkeep of the town’s parks, cemetery grounds, and facility landscapes. His leadership ensures that these spaces remain safe, welcoming, and well-maintained for residents and visitors throughout the year.

With a wealth of experience in public space management, Larry directs the daily operations that keep Chapel Hill’s green spaces thriving. From cemeteries and community parks to town facilities, his work touches nearly every corner of the community’s outdoor environment. Larry is also a Certified Sports Field Manager.

Larry takes pride in supporting Chapel Hill’s long-standing reputation for high-quality public spaces. His dedication to safety, sustainability, and community well-being helps ensure that the town’s parks, facilities, and natural areas continue to be places where people can gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors.

Marcia Purvis
Principal Planner

Marcia brings over 20 years of planning and project management experience to her role. Since 2019, she has been a key part of helping the community improve its sustainability efforts, like planning open space and special projects like the Adopt-a-Park program. Before joining the Town of Chapel Hill, Marcia worked as a leader at the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. She managed over 600 projects, including big park projects and improvements to infrastructure. Her expertise in green infrastructure and project management, along with her dedication to community engagement, makes Marcia an invaluable asset in driving positive change for Chapel Hill.

Debra Lane
Administrative Coordinator

Debra is known for her ability to manage a wide range of complex projects. She makes web pages for the division and provides important administrative, secretarial, and technical support. She makes sure everything works well. Her expertise in analysis, research, and problem-solving makes her an invaluable asset to the team. By expertly handling a variety of tasks, Debra keeps the division operating efficiently and effectively.

Adam Smith
Park Outreach Specialist

Adam is a highly skilled expert in environmental stewardship, arboriculture, and tree care, with over 20 years of experience as a Town Arborist. He holds several certifications, including Certified Arborist, Hazardous Tree Inspector, Storm Water Inspector, Certified Supervisor in Maintenance Management, Certified Landscape Technician, and Master Naturalist. He has experience managing projects and helping with outreach programs for Parks and Recreation. This gives him a well-rounded approach to every project. Adam’s knowledge makes him a great partner for anyone who wants to make a difference in these fields.