PPF's board members come from many walks of parks and life. This month, we asked four of them why they serve and what park they would be if they could be a park. Read each of their full profiles below.

As Community Affairs Manager/Oregon for U.S. Bank, Karen Kervin helps non-profit organizations across the state of Oregon work toward their goals. Karen’s professional contributions to U.S. Bank and its community stakeholders requires a full-time focus on those building blocks that help communities thrive: stable employment, a home to call one’s own and a community connected through arts, culture, and recreation.

Why this board?

The PPF Board is one place I choose to engage as a volunteer, as the work of ensuring our parks and open spaces remain viable and accessible to all is a key component of maintaining a livable and prosperous community. I have seen first-hand the increase in use of Portland parks during this pandemic year. People are using our parks as a way to gather responsibly, enjoy nature and play, and even for a few minutes, perhaps enjoy a sense of normalcy.

If you could be a Portland park, which one would you be and why?

If I could be a Portland park it would be Gabriel Park (or Gabes as we call it). Gabes has it all – hills and flat areas, forest and fields, skateboard park and play structures, a stream, a community center, a community garden and two dog parks.

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

In my service as a PPF Board member, I hope to bring whatever time, talent and resources I can to help maintain a healthy and thriving network of parks for all to enjoy. Making connections with community members, thanking donors, raising funds, considering grant awards and planning for events with like-minded individuals are all activities I have enjoyed in my short time on the board. It’s an exciting and challenging time to be part of any nonprofit organization.

Silas Sanderson is a Professional Civil Engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he works on environmental restoration projects, risk assessments of flood risk reduction structures, and seismic assessments of infrastructure. Originally from Boston, Silas was drawn to the natural beauty of the Pacfic Northwest.

Why this board?

I love the outdoors and parks are the outdoors at your doorstep. For me they are a place to gather, recharge, and recreate. Portland is fortunate to have so many great parks.

If you could be a Portland park, which one would you be and why?

Easy. Forest Park. There is nothing more recharging to my soul than a trail run or a post-work ride through Forest Park.

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

At PPF, we help people help parks. I'm looking forward to empowering Portland's communities to realize the vision that they have for their parks.

Melissa Naito is a Community Advocate who serves on the boards of KairosPDX and The Portland Parks Foundation. She was a staff member to former City Commisioner Gretchen Kafoury and worked for Portland’s Bureau of Development Services for many years. She has volunteered with many organizations in Portland including Catlin Gabel School and the Multnomah Athletic Club. She is a proud soccer mom to a collegiate soccer player.

Why PFF Board?

It is a great way to help shape the City's future by making all our parks and open spaces accessible to everyone no matter where you live. It is an opportunity to educate the community about our many terrific parks and to advocate for those whose voices are not always heard.

If you could be a Portland park, which one would you be and why?

I would be Washington Park. It has a little bit of everything! I love the contemplative spaces like The Holocaust Memorial and the Japanese Garden. You can play tennis or practice archery and you can walk on trails and play with children in open spaces and on terrific play equipment.

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

I hope to give all Portlanders a sense of ownership of their parks and open spaces. I hope to make all of us feel welcome in any of these spaces. We have so much to offer here in Portland from natural areas, where you can see birds and other animals to more formal gardens where you can touch and smell the beautiful flowers. We have a rich history of caring for and building parks. I want to participate in that for the next generation.

Jack Jewsbury is a real estate broker for the Hasson Company. Prior to joining Hasson, Jack was a professional soccer player in Major League Soccer for 14 years; his first eight seasons were in Kansas City with the KC Wizards (now Sporting KC) before being traded to the Portland Timbers in March of 2011. After six seasons with the Timbers, he retired from professional soccer and joined the club on the business side as Director of Business Development for four years. He is still a Community Ambassador for the Timbers organization but is now working with the Hasson team full-time.

Jack is originally from Springfield, Missouri, where he grew up before attending Saint Louis University. After graduating from SLU, he married his high school sweetheart. They have been married for 14 years and have two daughters, ages 9 and 11, who keep them busy with their love of dance and soccer. The Jewsbury family has lived in Lake Oswego for the last eight years.

Why this board?

I chose to join the PPF board because when moving to PDX in 2011, parks were crucial in making the city feel like home for our family. We knew very few people in town so parks became that outlet for us to be active and meet others in our community!

If you could be a Portland park, which one would you be and why?

If I could be one Portland park, it would have to be Holly Farm Park. This park just brings back so many wonderful memories as our kids were growing up. From afternoon picnics, to learning how to ride their bikes and playing soccer in the grass there - Holly Farm Park will always be a special place for us!

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

I hope that we can showcase how important Portland parks are to the fabric of our city. Now more than ever, parks can be at the forefront of creating places where all feel welcome and continuing to strengthen our communities in PDX!

(Photo credit: CC BY-SA 2.0)