The Del Rio Parks Foundation is always seeking new people to welcome into our leadership circle! We are a volunteer board that meets once a month and works often on projects in between. The Board has oversight to all Del Rio Parks Foundation activities including the Farmer's Market, the Community Garden, park development projects, events, and educational initiatives. We also have working committees for all of them. Interested in joining us? Fill out the application to get started.
Want to be involved but not ready for a board position? Join a committee! Email info@delrioparksfoundation.com to learn more or message us on social media.
Events Committee
Community Garden Committee
Del Rio Dog Park Committee
Skateboard Committee
Hike and Bike Trail Committee
The team — meet the Del Rio Parks Foundation Board of Directors
Carin Cruz, President, Dog Park Committee Lead
Hello! My name is Carin Cruz, and although the name might sound local, I am an ex-pat here in Del Rio. I was born and raised in Finland and moved to Del Rio in 2016 because of my husband, who was born and raised here. Apart from my husband, my family consists of two daughters and a dog. I have a Master’s degree in Biology and teach at the local community college. Outdoor life has always been close to my heart, and I am what you could call a ‘summer bird' - the summer months in Texas tend to be a little too hot for me, so I usually spend a couple of months in Finland instead. The rest of the year is beautiful in Del Rio! I would love to see growth in the green areas of the city, and for them to be developed to better serve the needs of the community. At the Del Rio Parks Foundation I help out with events and general planning, and I also take care of the financial aspects.
Laura Gill Vasconcellos, Vice President
Laura is a transplant from the Midwest but is enjoying the weather and welcoming community of Del Rio. Specializing in media and marketing, Laura works as a Creative Director and is also a mom of 2 boys. After spending 15 years playing rugby around the country, Laura thought she'd try her hand at community gardening. It's not the same whatsoever, and she seems to be much better at sports than plants, but the ability to lead a great group of people has kept her involved and passionate about creating and executing beneficial and exciting new projects in Del Rio. Have an idea for something new in Del Rio?
Christine Miner, Treasurer, Farmer’s Market Lead
Christine Miner is a born and raised local. She is a math teacher at the high school, sponsors an after school club, and has a farm. She works to provide hands-on activities, classes, and events for the community on her farm sharing agricultural related knowledge to anyone that will listen! Even with all that she has been managing the Del Rio Park’s Foundation Farmer's Market for the last several year and this year stepped into the role of Treasurer.
Willard Jenkins, Community Manager and Committee Lead
Willard Jenkins is born and raised in Del Rio, TX. Willard specializes in filmmaking and technology and is currently employed by the local school district as a Multimedia Production Coordinator. Outside of work Willard spends most of his time creating videos for his business and following on social media. Although nature and gardening may not be his strength, he enjoys working together with others who are passionate about improving our community! The Del Rio community has been very supportive of Willard’s work and he is now trying to give back to the community through the Del Rio Parks Foundation.
Veronica Felton, Garden Manager, Garden Committee Lead
I am a transplant from the Midwest beginning to enjoy all that Del Rio and Texas has to offer. If I am not working, then I am with my backyard menagerie or one of the many gardens I am part of. If you want to talk plants, animals, homesteading, permaculture, or the great outdoors I am your person. I am here for the plants and the community atmosphere trying to create and participate in a networking experiment of other self-reliant types who always seek out more outdoor experiences to make them stronger and more aware of the outdoor surroundings that we inhabit.
Michaela Lowrance, Event Manager
Hi I’m Michaela Lowrance, the Event Coordinator for the Del Rio Parks Foundation. I guess you can call me a Del Rio native, as my family has been here for generations. I’ve been visiting on and off my whole life. After marrying my husband and having our first child we decided to move to Del Rio to be closer to family. I currently own and run an event business in Bracketville. My family and I spend lots of time outdoors and at our local parks. It is an honor to be helping this foundation.
OPEN, Fundraising and Grants Coordinator
OPEN, Community Manager
Jake Carsten, At-Large, Trails Committee Lead
Jake Carsten began his career in the bicycle industry in 2011, working on the IMBA-Subaru Trail Care where he was instrumental to communities from coast to coast representing, speaking, and teaching trail building on behalf of IMBA. Throughout his career, Jake has focused on developing his skill set and growing with the trail building industry, most notably he has attended numerous training courses through PTBA and worked with and learned from a wide variety of top trail designers and trail building firms in the industry. Jake has also worked as an instructor trainer in the Bike Instructor Certification Program (ICP) and obtained certifications to teach mountain bike handling skills. He’s also also created his own trail consulting firm (Dirt Dojo LLC) and worked on projects such as Split Rock Wilds (BeaverBay, MN), River Mountain and Two Rivers Park (Little Rock AR), Mt. Fitzgerald (Springdale, AR), Devil’s Den State Park (Winslow, AR), Mt. Nebo State Park (Dardanelle, AR), Mount Magazine State Park (Paris, AR) and the Slaughter Pen Bike Park (Bentonville, AR), to name a few.
Jake has come to the Foundation with vision and energy for Del Rio’s potential to be a hike and bike destination in the region.
Ken Hayes, At-Large, Skatepark Committee Lead
Hey there! Ken Hayes here! I was raised in a mostly Northern European community in suburban Minneapolis on the land my Grandfather used to help feed others during the Great Depression. I started gardening when I could walk and earned money from the neighbors since 8 years old. Focused on athletics in high school as captain of the Cross Country team and co-captain of the Skiing and Track teams. I joined the U.S. Army Special Forces and served in Vietnam. As a form of penance, I served nearly 25 years as a missionary in Europe, N. Africa, and Asia. Developed a career in the oil field and later in the automotive industry in Germany, the U.S., and Mexico. I then moved with my family to Del Rio in '96 to help my parents who retired here in '73. I started a landscaping and tree trimming business in 2000 now in operation with my sons. I have worked with youth and the development of parks and activities for much of my life. I’m very thankful to be able to contribute what I can to the Del Rio Parks Foundation.
Jan Sanchez, At-Large, Volunteering and Grants Committee
Jan Sanchez was raised in California and is currently Active Duty Enlisted in the Air Force for the past 17 years. He joined the Del Rio Parks foundation to give back to the community and to develop his personal/social/agricultural skills along with networking and management skills. Willing to learn and help others when possible he gets chances to improve himself and hopefully others. Having had the chance to travel to a few countries overseas and willing to pull inspiration from all experiences he prizes out of the box thinking and unique ideas. He aspires to be an owner of multiple businesses and inventor... eventually
Jose Miguel Flores, At-Large, Skatepark Committee
Bio coming soon!
Bruno Lozano, At-Large
As the former mayor of the City of Del Rio, Bruno Lozano has a passion for service and understands the importance of parks within the Del Rio community. He has a diverse background in politics, military service, and travel industry. Lozano is a committed advocate for better park connectivity and park improvement by connecting various government agencies at the state and federal levels. Lozano is a Del Rio native.