The African American Experience 

Hayes Joynes at the Arsenal

Courtesy of New York City Parks Photo Archive. Shortly before Mayor Lindsay established the Recreation and Cultural Affairs Administration, he appointed Hayes Jones the first Commissioner of Recreation. Joynes, who was 29 years old at the time, had won the gold medal in the 110-meter high hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 (he won a bronze at the Rome Olympics of 1960). Lindsay commented that Jones was "superbly qualified to launch the city's recreation program" and that he was an "inspirational leader." Jones served as recreation commissioner until 1970. He later served as a representative from Pontiac, Michigan in the United States Congress, and is today the general manager in the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation in Michigan.