Behind the Organization…
FoEP is about volunteers - we can’t do this without our neighbors, acquaintances, politically savvy protesters and tireless eco-warriors. But we also have an organizational structure with non-profit responsibilities, reports to produce, presentations to make, relationships to maintain, and files to keep. The people in those positions are listed below. You’ll find members emeritus and in memoriam as well. Check out who we are here, and when you see us in the park - stop and say hi! Feel free to get in touch with general questions or any Executive Board or Steering Committee interest! info@elysianpark.org
Executive Board:
Co-President
Philip Murphy
…has been in this position since 2018. He has forged strong relationships with city organizations to complete major projects like the soccer field, playground, and soon-to-be splashpad at Solano Canyon; and the disc golf course at Chávez Ridge. We’re so grateful for his tireless and enthusiastic advocation for the park.
Co-President
Sakae Koyama
…is completely committed to Echo and Elysian Parks. She serves on the Lotus Festival committee; is involved in the Neighborhood Council; helps run the Echo Park Xmas parade; coordinates with the Edendale Library, City Council offices; and remarkably, much more. She’s lived in Echo Park her whole life, and has been FoEP Co-President since 2023.
Treasurer
Mark McRae
…comes from a career comitted to non-profits, holding positions in development and project management. He supplies his gardening skill and finanacial acumen to our organization. Mark keeps us in 501-(c)(3) compliance, manages our fundraising efforts, and keeps an eye out for grant opportunities.
Communications Director
Erin Sedita
…is a new Elysian Park neighbor, moving here in 2022. In her worklife she’s director of Project Management and Strategy at Cal State Fullerton. She’s a skilled writer and has contributed beautiful essays on FoEP’s work including rehab plans for Chavez Ravine Arboretum and many other projects.
Secretary
OPEN POSITION
Duties include: preparing agenda and minutes; maintaining the working Google Doc calendar, monthly online outreach about the finalized calendar; submitting press releases; keeping records organized for archival purposes.
Steering Committee:
Dan Reza
…a former co-president, and a staunch Solano Canyon advocate. He’s working with local orgs to fight the 23-story Buena Vista luxury housing project that threatens only remaining historic neighborhood in Elysian Park. He’s spearheading clean-up efforts at Radio Hill, and serves on the Historic Solano Canyon Neighborhood Council.
Liz Staley
…comes to us from the entertainment industry where she was Executive Director at Universal Music Group for 30 years. She currently serves on the board of the non-profit support organization House of Ruth, and is integral to their fundraising efforts. Liz moved to Echo Park in the late 90s, is an Elysian Park neighbor and joy to have on our team.
Eric Adams
…is a dedicated advocate for disability and difference. He is a key member of the Stop The Gondola coalition. His tireless efforts keep civic orgs and leadership in check with his attention to detail, focus on ADA compliance, and eloquent public speaking. Eric’s work reminds us how critical Grace E. Simons’ original mission was and contunues to be.
Carrie Worthen
…has donated her graphic design and documentary-style photography skills to rebrand FoEP as an organization. She runs our web, social media, email and other branded outreach. She started her design firm Thirdthing in 1995, producing brand identities & campaigns for clients in arts and politics. She’s lived in Angeleno Heights, and hiked the park since 2000.
The University of Southern California, Regional History Collection holds our records under Identifier/Collection Number: 0320
Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park records, 1965-2019
From USC: The collection documents the activities of the Citizens' Committee to Save Elysian Park from the mid-1960s through the early 2000s. Throughout almost four decades the organization's history, the Committee preserved the records that were generated through its efforts to preserve Elysian Park. The fifteen boxes of materials include court transcripts, environmental impact reports, photographs, correspondence with political figures, media notices, articles, and ephemera related to the topics championed by the Committee. Subjects included in the records are court cases pertaining to the Police Academy, opposition to the widening of the Pasadena Freeway, the Department of Water and Power's proposal to take over part of the Buena Vista Reservoir for a pumping station, the battle to prevent a convention center from being built at the park, issues with Dodger Stadium, etc.
Emerita / Emeritus
Terry Hair
Evan Rosenberg
Pamela Burgess
Scott Fajack
Mary-Austin Klein
Michael Kogan
Patricia Bauer Kogan
Marion Siu
Taylor Haynes
Christine Peters
In Memoriam
Sallie Neubauer
Danny Muñoz
Alicia Brown
Peter Lassen
Michael O’Brien
Isa-Kae Meksin