About Us

Partners of Parks empowers Long Beach parks with community-driven programs, scholarships, and enduring contributions.

We’re an independent nonprofit, not part of the City, yet we collaborate closely with City staff and park allies, fostering the growth of what truly counts.

Our Mission

Partners of Parks enriches the Long Beach community by expanding access to parks, recreation, and nature. We collaborate with donors, community groups, and the City to fund programs, amenities, and scholarships that ensure all residents—youth, seniors, families, and pets—can enjoy safe, vibrant, and equitable park experiences.

Our Vision

Partners of Parks believes that fostering community across socio-economic boundaries is the way forward to a more inclusive future and our programs are designed to address the people of Long Beach where they are most likely to be found, in their local neighborhood parks! We believe that our organization’s strength comes from the diversity of the residents we serve. Long Beach has a vibrant population whose roots span across sexualities, races, cultures, abilities, and experiences from around the world. This variety of perspectives shapes our programming to ensure it reflects the diverse community we serve.

Our mission is grounded in ensuring that every resident can access and enjoy the City of Long Beach’s parks, green spaces, facilities, marine areas, and recreational programs. Through our various programs, we invest in Long Beach resident’s quality of life and include individual residents and partner organizations in the process. This community inclusive approach allows us to direct our resources to residents and neighborhoods where the need is greatest.

Across all our work, Partners of Parks strives to advance equity, champion inclusion, and create those spaces where every resident feels valued in our Long Beach Parks.

How We Work

Independent from the City of Long Beach, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit reliant on community support, not city funds.

Our work involves fiscal sponsorship for local park groups, facilitating impactful donor contributions, and enhancing public spaces through targeted programs and grants.

Financial Accountability: Your Trust Matters

POP is committed to responsible stewardship of donations. Here are our financials and reports available to the public.

“They make it possible for our park to stay vibrant year after year.
That’s why I give.”

— Local Donor

Board of Directors & Leadership

Mark Hardison

Mark has lived, been active and raised a family in the Long Beach Community for 30+ years.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation & Leisure Services from California State University of Dominguez Hills, worked for 40 years in the Recreation field in the Cities of Lomita and Hawthorne and retired as the Director of Recreation & Community Services for that agency.

During his career he rehabilitated playground facilities for all city parks, renovated the Municipal Pool & Community Center, administered the creation of the Betty Ainsworth Sports Center & two new Parks for the community.

He is also a member of the Hawthorne Parks & Recreation Foundation, the Pickleball Advisory Board for the City of Long Beach, the Long Beach Century Club, & Seal Beach Pickleball Association.

His Board position with Partners of Parks allows him to bring his expertise and years in government experience assisting the organization in collaborating with the City of Long Beach to direct its resources providing residents with joint programming, and capital improvement to the city’s recreational facilities to neighborhoods where the need is greatest.

Kathy Fishkin

Ron Antonette

Ron is a 30-year veteran of the public relations industry, and owns R. Antonette Communications in Long Beach. Ron has previously worked with global brands Mattel, Nestle, Amazon, Disney, and LEGO. He also currently serves as Chief Program Officer of the USC Center for Public Relations at the Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism.

He served 8 years on the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, appointed by Mayors Foster and Garcia, and also worked on the initial Bike Long Beach program. Ron is the public address voice for Millikan basketball and other sports. He is currently the voice of most Millikan High School sports.

Greg Switzer

Mr. Switzer is a Sustainability Consultant with Partner Energy. This day job that focuses on shaping the built urban environment, combined with a love of outdoors, have helped shape his view and love of public parks.

Mr. Switzer relocated to Long Beach in 2017. One of the factors in staying in Long Beach has been the high quality of parks and outdoor opportunities in the city. As a board member for Partners of Parks, Mr. Switzer hopes give back to the community by working to maintain and continually improve the parks and programs he frequently enjoys.

Ryan Sanders

Ryan Sanders has been a member of the Long Beach Community since 2012. As a member of the Long Beach Yacht Club, Ryan has served on various boards and helped to shape the under 40 year old intermediate program at LBYC.

Ryan currently works for the Long Beach Container Terminal in their vessel department, and will spend the summer of 2026 as the on-the-field announcer for the new Long Beach Coast professional Baseball team.

As a board member with Partners of Parks, Ryan brings a strong tie to the community, and knowledge in both fundraising and event coordination. Ryan is proud to serve the community here in the City of Long Beach as a board member with Partners of Parks.

Karen Gastelum

Karen Gastelum joined the board in July 2025 and is proud to support the Organization’s mission on expanding access to parks in the Long Beach community.

With background as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Karen offers valuable financial expertise and strategic insight to the organization.

Chris Zippert

Chris Zippert is the Director of Supply Chain for MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospitals.

Through his work at these local medical centers, he has developed a deep appreciation for the City of Long Beach and the vibrant community it serves. As an active user of the Long Beach park system, Chris recognizes the vital role that accessible outdoor spaces play in community well-being.

He brings a thoughtful, solutions-oriented perspective to the board, informed by his experience in healthcare operations and leadership. Chris is committed to strengthening community connections and supporting initiatives that expand access to safe, high-quality park spaces for residents of all ages.

Yvette Aguilar

Yvette has more than 20 years as a professional in local government, including 18 years dedicated to Parks, Recreation, and Library Services. The latter portion of her career has been spent in management and executive leadership, where she has overseen complex operations, guided strategic initiatives and projects, and supported high-performing teams.

Currently, she serves as Deputy City Manager and Director of Parks, Recreation, and Library Services for the City of Signal Hill. In this capacity, she oversees human resources and communications, and provides organizational leadership, advances community-focused programs and services, and works collaboratively across departments to support the City’s broader goals.

In addition to her professional work, Yvette has been actively involved with a variety of civic and nonprofit organizations, including the Leadership Tomorrow program; served as a committee member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society; serves as Board Member of the Long Beach Partners of Parks; and serves as the Chair of the finance committee for a local non-profit in Long Beach, contributing to sound fiscal oversight and long-term sustainability.

Hallie Jane Culpepper

Melissa Lynch

Melissa Lynch is the Community Relations Manager at Signal Hill Petroleum, where she focuses on building strong community partnerships and supporting local initiatives in the Signal Hill and Long Beach Community.

With more than 20 years of experience in parks and recreation, Melissa is passionate about creating programs and spaces that bring people together and enhance quality of life for the community.

Her background in community engagement and recreation continues to guide her commitment to supporting parks, families, and local organizations through her involvement with Partners of Parks.

Ashley Jones

Aliah Reza Khan

Aliah Reza Khan grew up in the city of Lakewood. She has had a lifelong affinity for advocacy and public service. Ms. Khan earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from California State University Long Beach, graduating in 2022.

Aliah previously spent three years with the City of Long Beach in the Office of Councilwoman Cindy Allen, Council District 2. There she oversaw the installation of an LA VS Hate mural in Bixby Park, as well as numerous community events. Since the passing of her mother in 2023 Aliah has taken on a full time caregiver role for her brother, Ahmad, who is a semi-verbal adult with autism.

Randy Zarn

Randy join Partners of Parks as a volunteer in 2012 and shortly after became a Board Member.

In 2016 he was named the Executive Director serving in that role for 2 years. A new E.D. Was hired, Trinka Rowsell, Randy stayed on for 4 years as the Associate Director.

He stepped down from that position and rejoined the POP Board. Finally became the head of the Emeritus Board in 2025 and currently continues to assist with POP functions.

Connor Lock

Connor Lock is currently an experienced government innovator and policy implementer who enjoys breaking down complex challenges and designing holistic approaches to improve people’s quality of life and fairness in society.

Connor also currently serves on the Housing Advisory Committee for the County of Los Angeles and the Emeritus Board for Partners of Parks. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service in International Political Economics from Georgetown University and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach, where he was recently recognized as one of the 2026 49 under 49 exceptional alumni who are making transformative contributions in their communities and beyond.

Connor currently works as Deputy Mayor of Housing for Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, where he leads the Mayor's housing, affordability, and livability portfolio.

Connor lives in Long Beach with his wonderful wife, two sons, and two dogs, and enjoys DIY home remodel projects, golfing, running, and BBQ.