About & Support
Who we are
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead
Friends of Brentwood Park was founded in 2009 by friends Emily Wilson and Hedrich Michealsen. In the beginning, it was as simple as a few neighbors coming together who loved to garden.
In 2009, Emily Wilson (second from left above) and Hedrich Michaelson decided they wanted Crestview to participate in the City of Austin’s Green Neighbor Challenge. They rallied a few gardening friends, persuaded neighbors join the effort, and Crestview achieved Green Neighborhood status. Part of that effort was to adopt a local park and Brentwood needed some TLC. Emily and Hedrich signed an Adopt-A-Park agreement with Austin Parks and Recreation, declared themselves the Friends of Brentwood Park. and spearheaded the group’s first park workday in December of that year. The first official It’s My Park Day was held the following March in 2010, and Karen Lorenzini (far left above) made a clay park sign to commemorate the installation of the park sign planting bed.
Since then, Friends of Brentwood Park has held dozens of park work days and completed major park improvements. And the work continues today.
Rather than a formal membership structure, the FOBP team meets as needed and we all do whatever is necessary. We need the next generation of neighbors to join the leadership team! We organize the twice-yearly IMPD workdays, and have led and participated in past park projects such as tree plantings, pavilion installation, purple Martin house, granite trail installation, sports enhancements and new water fountain, new benches, and new pollinator flowerbeds.
We especially need volunteers who would like to ‘learn through doing’ by helping lead March and November park workdays and assisting with current projects. Other helpful skills FOBP needs are website and blog updates, news liaison for BNA/CNA, communications and writing, and general organizing for IMPD events.
We’re eager for you to join the team! Please contact us.
Current Leadership
(Picture: IMPD 2023)
Alex Goeltz
Emma Cullotta
Jacky Ramos
Karthik Manamcheri
Kat Correa
Marie Taylor
Ryan McCulloch
Longtime Members
(Picture: IMPD 2010)
Cheryl Goveia (retired)
Dave Shulder (deceased)
Diane Larson (retired)
Marie Taylor
Neal Hagood (retired)
Susan Burneson (retired)
Original Founders
(Picture: 2018)
Denman Glober Netherland (moved 2023)
Elaine Dill (retired)
Emily Wilson (moved 2023)
Hedrich Michaelsen (retired 2019)
Kat Correa
Karen Lorenzini (retired 2025)
Susan Burneson (retired)
Caring for Brentwood Park takes all of us
Donate
Violet Crown Community Works is a 501(c)3 non-profit, and the financial steward for Friends of Brentwood Park.
We also accept Venmo donations for the Garden Club. Thank you!
Volunteer
The Friends of Brentwood Park leadership team relies on committed volunteers to continue the mission of park stewardship. From planning to comms to tech, your skills are needed. Please reach out!
Our partners
Our partners are extremely important and help our volunteers to continue serving the Brentwood and Crestview neighborhoods. Thank you!
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City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department
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Austin Parks Foundation
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Violet Crown Community Works
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Susan & Rob Burneson of Voices of the Violet Crown History
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Brentwood Neighborhood Association
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Crestview Neighborhood Association
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Joel & Joanna Fried of Eldorado Cafe
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Dia’s Market Specialty Market & Deli
Contact us
Let’s work together.
Interested in working together? We are so excited to hear from you!
The best way to reach us is by email.