About Friends

Friends of the Allentown Parks was founded in 2008 to encourage greater appreciation and public use of Allentown’s parks and recreation system.

The regional, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) volunteer organization is comprised of citizens and business leaders committed to enhancing Allentown’s park facilities, services and recreation programs for the enjoyment of everyone.

What Friends of the Allentown Parks does:

1. Promotes responsible use and care of parks

2. Provides advice and support for parks improvements

3. Administers volunteer efforts, and the Remembrance Tree Program

4. Promotes environmental responsibility and outdoor education

Board of Directors and Staff (Who We Are):

Board Officers:

• Robert E. Donatelli, Esq— President
• Ibi Balog, Cedar Crest College — Treasurer
• Kimberly Heiman, Muhlenberg College – Secretary

Board Members:

• John Cigliano, Cedar Crest College
• Michael Cox, Consultant
• Douglas Downing, Lafayette-Ambassador Bank
• Kimberly Heiman, Muhlenberg College
• Karen Shoemaker, ARC of Lehigh & Northampton Counties
• Charles Versaggi, Community Leader
• Dick Button, Farr Associates Consulting
• Mitch Hanna, City Center Lehigh Valley
• Tim Bollinger, Lehigh County Liaison

Staff:

• Karen El Chaar, Volunteer Executive Director
• Beverly Mosser, Director of Communications
• Raziel Casey Fletcher, Intern