parks for all

Nature’s Powerful Effect on Human Health and Well-Being

Follow these links to peruse a small handful of articles and studies describing the beneficial effects of spending time in nature - Urban Nature for Human Health and Well-Being, US Department of Agriculture — Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing, the journal Nature — The Health Benefits of Small Parks and Green Spaces, National Recreation and Park Association — Wildness in urban parks important for human well-being, University of Washington, reported in ScienceDaily — Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health, Yale Environment 360

Milwaukie is home to numerous parks with others either under construction or in the planning stages. These parks represent a diverse landscape that includes playgrounds, amphitheaters, trails, and wildlife habitat - perfect for activities, from play, exercise, and entertainment, to observation and peaceful contemplation. Many of the city's parks are unfinished, however, while others would benefit from various updates and beautification projects.

Naturalists and philosophers have long touted the benefits of spending time in nature. Numerous studies now support this belief, illustrating the mental and physical benefits that come from experiencing the great outdoors. As such, we are dedicated to ensuring that quality parks are available for the enjoyment of all Milwaukie’s residents and visitors.

our vision

Here at MPF, we envision a time when every Milwaukie resident has a park, natural area, or other green space within walking distance of their home (¼ mile).

MPf values

Inclusiveness: Milwaukie parks and open spaces should be welcoming, safe, accessible places.

Relationships: We believe in developing relationships with community members and organizations in order to find common goals and build a network of resources while connecting community members to each other, their parks, and green spaces.

Education: Raising awareness of the value of Milwaukie parks and green spaces to our mental and physical well-being and to foster connection and long-term stewardship.

Want to get involved?

Visit our volunteer page to discover ways that you can get involved with making Milwaukie’s parks some of the best in the region.

-meet the team-

We are an all volunteer team. Our board meets once a month devoting six to eight hours each to activate and support Milwaukie’s parks.

executive director

Alison Perkins

Alison loves exploring all the open space available, looking for birds and other wildlife and just enjoying the natural beauty of the region. She is a PhD ecologist with experience in science communication and education, currently working as a freelancer producer and grant writer. She has a passion for giving back to the communities she lives in, and has served in diverse roles on Boards of Directors that support science education and film communities. Previously serving the Milwaukie Parks Foundation as Secretary of the Board, Alison stepped up in January 2022, greatly increasing her volunteer hours to become Executive Director.

Board of directors

Board officers

President — Lisa Gunion-Rinker

Lisa has lived in the Ardenwald/Johnson Creek neighborhood since 1998. She first got involved with neighborhood parks through the Tideman-Johnson SOLV clean-ups, and then later was a co-founder of the Friends of Tideman-Johnson Park which is still going strong with park work-parties 8 months of every year. She served on the Milwaukie Park and Recreation Board for 8 years, and is currently serving on the Ardenwald/Johnson Creek NDA as LandUse Chair. She loves hiking, gardening, community involvement, and wildlife in our cities. Lisa has served as President of the Board since MPF was founded in 2018.

vice president — Emily Gilchrist

The daughter of an NPS Park Ranger, Emily has public lands in her DNA. She has had a lifelong interest in observing how humanity interacts with the natural world. This, and her dedication to environmental and natural resources issues, led a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law, along with a certificate in Sustainable Environmental, Energy & Resources Law. She was fortunate to join Milwaukie Parks Foundation at its inception in 2018, and has since served as Board Secretary, Executive Director, and currently as Vice President. She is thrilled to play a part in bringing quality parks to all of Milwaukie’s residents and visitors. In her free time, Emily enjoys gardening, hiking, canoeing, astronomy, genealogy, painting, and adventuring with her family.

Secretary — lisa batey

Lisa has lived in the Island Station neighborhood since 2002. She first got involved with Milwaukie parks as the neighborhood chair in 2003, focusing on restoration of habitat and building of the "pocket park" at Spring Park. Lisa is currently a Milwaukie City Councilor, and formerly served on the Milwaukie Planning Commission for nearly a decade. Lisa was elected to the office of Secretary in January 2022 and has served as a board member since MPF’s founding in 2018.

treasurer — Alejandra PEÑa

Alejandra joined the active Board at the Milwaukie Parks Foundation in 2020 and is currently serving as Treasurer. She believes strongly in the contribution parks make to the community fabric: providing gathering space, health activity and outdoor recreation, as well as community cohesion. She is a financial services professional working at Modernist Financial, an active member of the B-corp community, and a proud resident of Ardenwald.

Board members

lisa lashbrook

Lisa Lashbrook has lived in the Lewelling Neighborhood since 1996. She is a founding member of Milwaukie Community Gardens and serves on the Recreation Committee for the Milwaukie Community Center, and with the Lewelling Neighborhood Association as Secretary. Previously, she served on the Milwaukie Parks and Recreation Board for 8 years. Her passions include community building and making sure folks have access to green spaces, parks and gardens. Among her favorite things are, being with her family, cooking and gardening. She has been on the MPF Board since its founding in 2018 and previously served as Board Treasurer.

virginia pai

Virginia has lived in the Lake Road neighborhood since 1982. She has helped with various park cleanups, Rebuilding Together, and Sand in the City, among other activities. Virginia is currently a member of Milwaukie Parks & Recreation Board and volunteers as food server at Milwaukie Community Center once a week. She loves gardening, travel and rock painting. Virginia has served on the MPF Board since the summer of 2020.

erin taylor

Erin joined our Board of Directors this January at our annual retreat! She is an occupational therapist and the owner and founder of Thrive OuTside, a company dedicated to using the outdoors to help children and their families. Erin is an outdoor enthusiast and knows how important having parks and green spaces are to our mental and physical well-being. And she really goes the extra mile - she and her wife took their 7-week-old twins on an 18-night journey to Yosemite and back in a Vanagan!

bob schulz

Bob Schulz has spent his life outdoors playing sports , skiing, hiking, boating and fishing.

After 35 years as a Senior Manager and Director of Parks and Recreation programs, he formed his own consulting company, Navigator Group. His clients included Nike, City of Seattle, and Tualitan Hills Park and Recreation, among many others.

Now enjoying retirement, he volunteers coaching his grandson in baseball and volunteering for LiftUp delivering food to the needy. He can be found most of the time in a park walking his dog Bart, or on the water boating.

Former Board Members

- Wilda Parks

- Linda Blue

- Jennifer Allen

- Ariel Posey