About Us
The Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, established in 2012, is a 501(c)3 public charity. The Foundation's mission is to advocate, advance, and develop support for parks, recreational programming, community services, cultural activities, and the arts in Redwood City and surrounding unincorporated areas. The board works closely with the City of Redwood City’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services and provides technical, volunteer and financial support for entertainment and community events which enhance our quality of life.
FOUNDATION GOALS
-
Provide support to the Redwood City Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department
-
Raise community awareness and support for parks, recreation, and the arts
-
Leverage and expand available financial resources to enhance and increase parks, recreation and the arts
-
Focus on priority projects and high-impact programs that meet community needs
-
Partner and collaborate with other organizations to access unique resources to provide more programs for our community
IN MEMORY OF CORINNE CENTENO
Corinne Centeno was the Director of the Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department from 1999 through 2009 at which time she retired. She began her public service career in 1976 at the Fair Oaks Community Center, and advanced to become Manager of that Center serving with great compassion and respect for the people most in need throughout our community, providing shelter, food, clothing, and other basic human services. She was later appointed as the first Assistant to the City Manager where for nearly four years her renowned skills in facilitation, diplomacy, and civic engagement served the community. Corinne’s devotion to creating great places and programs as a means of ensuring a better quality of life for residents brought her back to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department where she served as Superintendent, and then for an extraordinary ten years as Director. Many charitable organizations also benefited from her work as a volunteer or board member.
Corinne called Redwood City home for 45 years. She established deep roots in the community through her many friendships and her public service career. She combined a depth of caring, with her wonderful sense of humor, and brought joy and laughter to all that she did. She was adventurous and enjoyed frequent travels,
Corinne passed away on June 13, 2012, following a brave battle with cancer. Her devotion to ensuring a better quality of life for the people of Redwood City inspired her to make a generous bequest to help launch the Foundation. We remember her with deep affection and gratitude.
PAMELA ESTES
President
Pamela moved to Redwood City with her family in 2002, and is a founding member of the board and is our fearless leader. She has been instrumental in growing the organization and loves being involved in the community. She says she's basically nosey at heart and we are all grateful for this quality because it means she knows a lot about everything Redwood City. She is inspired and motivated by active, hands-on involvement in projects that contribute to making our community a better place to live, work and play. Her dedication to the Foundation inspires us all.
SHEILA CEPERO
Vice President
Sheila grew up on the northwest side of Chicago, in Cubs territory, and moved to California for college when her parents couldn't handle the cold Chicago winters any longer. Sheila says that she grew up in Chicago but became a grown up in Berkeley. Sheila left the corporate world at the end of 2015 and is focused on working for nonprofit organizations whose cause she believes in. Sheila has raised her family in Redwood City and wants to work to make it an even better community with more fun, more art and more parks for all to enjoy. Her dream is to have a community arts center in downtown Redwood City.
TRICIA HALL
Treasurer
Tricia is the Aquatics Supervisor at Highlands Recreation District and joined the board because of her passion for serving our community specifically in recreation based program. Born in Bloomington, IL. she moved to Redwood City in 2012 from San Jose. Tricia loves all of the energy of downtown and all the diverse activities the city offers. She loves Music on the Square and wishes she had time to go to more concerts. Tricia would love to see musical swings in our downtown and before she dies she wants to go to Australia.
PAM BEARD
Secretary
Pam is a transplant from New Jersey, arriving in San Francisco in 1977 later setting in Redwood City in 1994, where she raised her two children. She started her career in developing programs serving children, youth, and families in San Mateo County, and currently works as a Global Onboarding Manager. She has been actively involved in our community serving for 8 years on the Arts Commission and later becoming a foundation board member in 2015. She is also an advocate for bringing awareness about Human Trafficking to the Bay Area through her involvement with the Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition and Freedom House. She enjoys photography, cooking, getting together with family and friends, and exploring the great outdoors. She's passionate about bringing our community together and will continue to work to make Redwood City a place where everyone can enjoy and experience the cultural diversity and beauty of our community.
MAC HART
Board Member
A fifth generation Redwood City resident, Mac has joined the board with a background in city planning and commercial real estate. He is excited by all the foundation has already accomplished and passionate about the many opportunities that still lie ahead. He believes in Redwood City's transformation into a mecca for unique public spaces, transformative public art, and engaging community programs.
CARY KELLY
Board Member
Cary is a high school teacher in Redwood City. He leads the Foundation's Community Advocacy Through Art (CATA) project, which creates public art to the community. In his spare time, he likes to go on meandering trail runs and cook experimental food dishes.
BETH MOSTOVOY
Board Member
Beth moved to RWC in 1989. For many years she worked as an activity director in nursing homes and trained to be an art therapist. Beth is the founder of ART on the Square, founder and Chair of ARTS RWC and has her own photography business, Honeybear Prints. She joined the board to help advance Redwood City as a vibrant and sustainable arts community. Before she dies she wants to have a community arts & cultural center in Redwood City!
BARBARA PIERCE
Board Member
A former Mayor and City Council Member of Redwood City, Barbara is a longtime community volunteer. She is most proud of her service on the Redwood City Education Foundation, the committee that fostered the concept of Courthouse Square and the “Bucket Brigade” to raise funds for the Friday Night Concerts. Barbara is a devoted grandmother of three and loves music, travel and crafts. She joined the board to support the arts, parks and recreation and community services as the heart of Redwood City.
CHRIS BETH
City Liaison
Chris Beth is the Director of the Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department who oversees 70 full-time and 150 casual staff with an operating budget of just over $18M a year. Chris lives in Redwood City, has served in the municipal park and recreation profession for nearly 30 years, and is so thankful to have worked for the City of Redwood City for the past 21. A SJSU and Cal State Hayward alum, Chris holds a Bachelor of Science Recreation and Leisure Studies degree and a Master of Public Administration. Chris served on the state board of the California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) for 6 years, and was President in 2009-2010. Chris was also inducted as a Fellow for the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA). Finally, Chris serves on the Police Activities League Board of Directors.