The Peru Gazette

By John T Ryan 

Peru – The Peru Town Board named Kristen Marino Peru Recreation Director at its April 10 meeting. Marino served as interim director since August 22 of last year. She brings a history of sports participation and leadership to the position. 

Kristen grew up as a member of a U.S. Air Force family. She attended kindergarten in Peru but departed when USAF reassigned her dad. She returned to the area in 2000 when her husband Brian took a math teaching position at Peru High School. They lived in Plattsburgh for a few years before moving to Peru in 2006-07. 

As a youth, Kristen participated in four high school sports, plus ballet. Working with Coach Joe Staves at Plattsburgh High School, she’s coached varsity track, modified gymnastics, modified softball, and modified track. In Peru, she’s coached modified gymnastics and assisted with the town’s girls’ soccer program. When her husband Brian was President of the Plattsburgh Little League, she was league secretary. Both she and Brian coached their girls’ teams when needed. 

The Marinos have exposed their family to sports throughout their married life. Their four daughters are three-season athletes, all participating in many programs Kristen now leads. Kristen said, “That’s one of the reasons I’m interested in this position. I want to make sure the programs stay in place. I want these kids to get the same things that our kids did. I can’t imagine how our community could do without them.” 

Brian’s sports involvement includes coaching JV boys’ soccer and baseball. He’s the current Peru varsity baseball coach, and when he’s not busy coaching, he officiates little league, boys and girls soccer, football, and boys and girls basketball. In addition, he’s been a Peru Youth Commission member and chairman. 

Kristen earned a BA Degree in Political Science at SUNY Oswego and a Master’s Degree in Business at SUNY Plattsburgh. For the past five years,  she’s been a teacher’s assistant at Peru High School. 

Asked if she’d like to see something added to the Youth Commission’s programs, Kristen mentioned pickleball’s growing popularity; she’d like Peru to establish a pickleball program. A few years ago, the town considered utilizing the Jenkins Street tennis courts for pickleball; however, the town board deemed the courts too expensive to repair. As a result, Marino is exploring alternative locations, including Sullivan Park.