Friends of Rouge Park Board of Directors
Board members are elected at an annual election in March and serve one year. They provide strategic planning, financial oversight and budgeting, staff and organization management, and are advocates and ambassadors for the organization.
Board Job description
Board members are elected at an annual election in March and serve one year. They provide strategic planning, financial oversight and budgeting, staff and organization management, and are advocates and ambassadors for the organization.
Board Job description
Board of Directors
Sally Petrella, President
Arthur Edge, Vice President
Rachel Meeker, Recording Secretary
Yvette Pullom-Bass, Treasurer
Paula Trilety, Membership Chair
Lorraine Harris, Corresponding Secretary
Cara Beld, Trustee
Garrett Dempsey, Trustee
Paul Stark, Trustee
JJ Velez, Trustee
Patrick Duggan, Trustee
Kate Gmyrek, City Representative
Sally Petrella, President
Arthur Edge, Vice President
Rachel Meeker, Recording Secretary
Yvette Pullom-Bass, Treasurer
Paula Trilety, Membership Chair
Lorraine Harris, Corresponding Secretary
Cara Beld, Trustee
Garrett Dempsey, Trustee
Paul Stark, Trustee
JJ Velez, Trustee
Patrick Duggan, Trustee
Kate Gmyrek, City Representative
Staff
Lindsay Pielack, Executive Director
Alex Allen IV, Program Manager
Antonio Cosme, Land Stewardship Manager
Lindsay Pielack, Executive Director
Alex Allen IV, Program Manager
Antonio Cosme, Land Stewardship Manager
Board of Directors Biographies
Sally Petrella, President Sally Petrella is one of the founding members of the Friends of Rouge Park and serves as the president. Growing up in southeast Michigan near the Rouge River, Petrella has always had a strong connection to the natural environment, and a commitment to improving it for all. She became active in improving her neighborhood park (Rouge Park) not long after moving to the city in 1987 and has a deep commitment to Detroit. As president, she provides guidance on stewardship of the park's 60 acre prairie, has secured and implemented two grants to create interpretive nature trails, fostered a community led Master Plan, oversees annual cleanups that attract as many as 300 people, advocates for the park, oversees interns and programming, and develops partnerships to improve the park.
Sally is the Watershed Ecologist at Friends of the Rouge, the non-profit focused on the Rouge River, where she has worked for over 20 years. She engages local residents in collecting data about the health of the Rouge River that is used to assess and guide restoration. In addition to engaging people with the river through monitoring, she promotes paddling on the Rouge River as a way to connect people with the resource. She holds a Master's Degree in Biology from the University of Michigan where she studied natural ecosystems. When she has free time, she spends it gardening, hiking, backpacking, and paddling.
Sally is the Watershed Ecologist at Friends of the Rouge, the non-profit focused on the Rouge River, where she has worked for over 20 years. She engages local residents in collecting data about the health of the Rouge River that is used to assess and guide restoration. In addition to engaging people with the river through monitoring, she promotes paddling on the Rouge River as a way to connect people with the resource. She holds a Master's Degree in Biology from the University of Michigan where she studied natural ecosystems. When she has free time, she spends it gardening, hiking, backpacking, and paddling.
Arthur Edge, Vice President Arthur L. Edge, II is a life-long resident of the City of Detroit with a strong passion and commitment for his family, friends, the City of Detroit, and its residents. Mr. Edge, now retired, worked for the Buildings and Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department at the City of Detroit for 27 years and was a well-respected employee and a community leader that touched the lives of many as a positive role model. Arthur has received the Board of Police Commissioners Resolution twice, State of Michigan Certificate of Appreciation, Detroit City Council Testimonial Resolution and been recognized by Detroit Police Department, as well as Wayne County Commission for his many years of service and community involvement.
Arthur's ultimate wish is to have a city where young children are no longer walking past, or playing around, open, and dangerous homes. His other passions include cars and formula one racing, standing up in the community against violence and injustice against women, children and seniors, by becoming an active member of the Detroit 300 Community Action Team; president of his own neighborhood organization Far West Detroit Civic Association; vice president of Friends of Rouge Park; member of The Sixth Precinct Community Relations Organization, member of the Neighborhood Partnership Alliance, member of the Revive Detroit CDC and president of the Civic Optimist Club of Detroit. In his spare time, he works with community leaders of Project We Hope Dream and Believe on restoring the Malcolm X House located in Inkster, Michigan.
Arthur's ultimate wish is to have a city where young children are no longer walking past, or playing around, open, and dangerous homes. His other passions include cars and formula one racing, standing up in the community against violence and injustice against women, children and seniors, by becoming an active member of the Detroit 300 Community Action Team; president of his own neighborhood organization Far West Detroit Civic Association; vice president of Friends of Rouge Park; member of The Sixth Precinct Community Relations Organization, member of the Neighborhood Partnership Alliance, member of the Revive Detroit CDC and president of the Civic Optimist Club of Detroit. In his spare time, he works with community leaders of Project We Hope Dream and Believe on restoring the Malcolm X House located in Inkster, Michigan.
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Yvette Pullom-Bass, Treasurer Yvette Pullom-Bass is a native Detroiter and a graduate of Wayne State University where she received a BSW and MSW with concentrations in Community Development and Leadership. Yvette is the Program Director at Detroit Parks Coalition. Prior to working with DPC, Yvette spent six years working with the Chandler Park Conservancy where she contributed to the fundraising, capital development, and programming development and implementation. Yvette learned how to play the sport of lacrosse at Chandler Park and now coaches with the Detroit Youth Lacrosse program.
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Rachel Meeker, Recording Secretary
Rachel serves as the Executive Director of Brightmoor Artisans Collective (BAC), a community center and local food hub north of Rouge Park. As a Brightmoor resident, she is President of the Neighbors Building Brightmoor Board and sits on the Eliza Howell Community Advisory Council for Sidewalk Detroit. As a member of the Rouge Park Board of Directors, Rachel is committed to fostering partnerships with organizations focused on equitable and sustainable community stewardship of the park.
Outside her role as a community advocate, Rachel enjoys exploring the nature trails at Rouge Park and values its green spaces. She is a Stormwater Specialist and a Master Rain Gardener with Friends of the Rouge as well as a Citizen Forester with Greening of Detroit, promoting urban greening and environmental stewardship. Leveraging her knowledge of local food systems, Rachel advocates for pedestrian food forests and educational native edible plant trails within the park.
Rachel serves as the Executive Director of Brightmoor Artisans Collective (BAC), a community center and local food hub north of Rouge Park. As a Brightmoor resident, she is President of the Neighbors Building Brightmoor Board and sits on the Eliza Howell Community Advisory Council for Sidewalk Detroit. As a member of the Rouge Park Board of Directors, Rachel is committed to fostering partnerships with organizations focused on equitable and sustainable community stewardship of the park.
Outside her role as a community advocate, Rachel enjoys exploring the nature trails at Rouge Park and values its green spaces. She is a Stormwater Specialist and a Master Rain Gardener with Friends of the Rouge as well as a Citizen Forester with Greening of Detroit, promoting urban greening and environmental stewardship. Leveraging her knowledge of local food systems, Rachel advocates for pedestrian food forests and educational native edible plant trails within the park.
Paula Trilety, Membership Chair Paula is a lifelong Detroiter who has always lived within five miles of Rouge Park! She attended Ann Arbor Trail Elementary School and Cass Technical High School. She is a community leader, an activist, and a retired Detroit Public School educator with 45+ years of service. Paula has been president of the West Outer Drive Civic Association (WODCA) for over thirty years. Since taking the position of Membership Chairperson our numbers have increased greatly. Paula also serves on the Detroit Parks Coalition (DPC) and DPC Programming Committee representing Friends of Rouge Park.
Paula has received the “Spirit of Detroit” Award twice and been recognized by Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance, The Power of One Dedicated Woman, Black Family Development, Detroit Police Department, Detroit Public Schools Reading Corp, Detroit City Council, Wayne County Clerk, Wayne County Commission, Third Judicial Circuit Court, State of Michigan, and U.S. Department of Justice for her years of service and community involvement. Paula loves visits with grandchildren, gardening, bowling, bird watching, nature, entertaining friends and family, cultural events, politics and reading. On many days you can find her participating in activities in Rouge Park!
Paula has received the “Spirit of Detroit” Award twice and been recognized by Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance, The Power of One Dedicated Woman, Black Family Development, Detroit Police Department, Detroit Public Schools Reading Corp, Detroit City Council, Wayne County Clerk, Wayne County Commission, Third Judicial Circuit Court, State of Michigan, and U.S. Department of Justice for her years of service and community involvement. Paula loves visits with grandchildren, gardening, bowling, bird watching, nature, entertaining friends and family, cultural events, politics and reading. On many days you can find her participating in activities in Rouge Park!
Lorraine Harris, Corresponding Secretary
Lorraine Harris is a life-long resident of the City of Detroit. Her career as a well-respected and dedicated city employee began in 1989, which allowed her to hone her customer service and community activist skills over the years by being active in the community, and fostering great relationships with various organizations, community leaders and officials.
Lorraine’s other passions include standing up in the community against violence and injustice against women, children, and seniors, by becoming an active member of the Detroit 300 Community Action Team; member of her neighborhood organization Far West Detroit Civic Association; corresponding secretary of Friends of Rouge Park; member of The Sixth Precinct Community Relations Organization, member of the Neighborhood Partnership Alliance and member of the Revive Detroit CDC. In her spare time, she works with domestic violence organizations, and participates in fundraising efforts for breast cancer research.
Lorraine’s main joy is spending time with family members, acting as King Arthur’s personal secretary, watching her children excel in their life ventures, visiting with her beautiful granddaughters cheering them on as they try to achieve any goal set for gymnastics and cheer team squad placing 1st place in both fields, and spending time spoiling her sweet, loving, and protective 155-pound rottweiler fur baby Diesel.
Lorraine Harris is a life-long resident of the City of Detroit. Her career as a well-respected and dedicated city employee began in 1989, which allowed her to hone her customer service and community activist skills over the years by being active in the community, and fostering great relationships with various organizations, community leaders and officials.
Lorraine’s other passions include standing up in the community against violence and injustice against women, children, and seniors, by becoming an active member of the Detroit 300 Community Action Team; member of her neighborhood organization Far West Detroit Civic Association; corresponding secretary of Friends of Rouge Park; member of The Sixth Precinct Community Relations Organization, member of the Neighborhood Partnership Alliance and member of the Revive Detroit CDC. In her spare time, she works with domestic violence organizations, and participates in fundraising efforts for breast cancer research.
Lorraine’s main joy is spending time with family members, acting as King Arthur’s personal secretary, watching her children excel in their life ventures, visiting with her beautiful granddaughters cheering them on as they try to achieve any goal set for gymnastics and cheer team squad placing 1st place in both fields, and spending time spoiling her sweet, loving, and protective 155-pound rottweiler fur baby Diesel.
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Paul Stark, Trustee Paul Stark has lived less than 1-1/2 miles from Rouge Park for 38 years. He received a masters degree in Orientation and Mobility (1987) and in Political Science (1995). He worked as a high school teacher for the Detroit Public Schools for 25 years, and currently contracts with the State and the Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind & Visually Impaired to provide Orientation & Mobility services for the blind. In the 1990s, he was active with the Detroit Greens, Michigan Green Party, Detroit Summer and the president of the Penrod Block Club and served on the board of the Warrendale Community Organization (including as president for several years). He has been on the board of the Friends of Rouge Park since its founding in 2002, serving as secretary and managing the website for 20 years, and publishing the newsletter for its first five years. He has also done research on the history of Rouge Park and has produced two video presentations on the early history of the park.
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Garrett Dempsey, Trustee Garrett Dempsey is the lead staff member for the Sierra Club's Detroit Outdoors program, where he dedicates his efforts to fostering a deeper connection between urban youth and the natural world. Growing up in San Francisco and organizing within communities in Oakland, California, he developed a profound passion for ensuring equitable access to nature. This commitment has driven him to expand the definition of what it means to be a conservationist and outdoor enthusiast, recognizing that appreciation for the outdoors can come from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Beyond his role at Detroit Outdoors, Garrett serves as the volunteer chair of the Sierra Club's Detroit Inspiring Connections Outdoors program, where he works to create opportunities for underserved youth to experience the beauty of nature. Additionally, he is a member of the Executive Committee for the Sierra Club Southeast Michigan Group, where he contributes to strategic planning and advocacy efforts aimed at environmental preservation and community engagement.
Garrett's commitment to community building extends to his role as a board trustee for the Friends of Rouge Park, where he has served for over three years. In this capacity, he focuses on developing partnerships between Detroit Outdoors and Friends of Rouge Park, ensuring that both organizations work in unison to enhance the park's natural beauty and accessibility. His dedication to collaboration and engagement has resulted in successful outdoor events, including Winterfest and camping outings in Scout Hollow, aimed at fostering community involvement and environmental awareness. Through these efforts, Garrett helps to create cherished spaces for residents, promoting not just appreciation for nature, but also a sense of community stewardship and responsibility.
Beyond his role at Detroit Outdoors, Garrett serves as the volunteer chair of the Sierra Club's Detroit Inspiring Connections Outdoors program, where he works to create opportunities for underserved youth to experience the beauty of nature. Additionally, he is a member of the Executive Committee for the Sierra Club Southeast Michigan Group, where he contributes to strategic planning and advocacy efforts aimed at environmental preservation and community engagement.
Garrett's commitment to community building extends to his role as a board trustee for the Friends of Rouge Park, where he has served for over three years. In this capacity, he focuses on developing partnerships between Detroit Outdoors and Friends of Rouge Park, ensuring that both organizations work in unison to enhance the park's natural beauty and accessibility. His dedication to collaboration and engagement has resulted in successful outdoor events, including Winterfest and camping outings in Scout Hollow, aimed at fostering community involvement and environmental awareness. Through these efforts, Garrett helps to create cherished spaces for residents, promoting not just appreciation for nature, but also a sense of community stewardship and responsibility.
Cara Beld, Trustee
Cara Beld is the Development Manager for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. In this role, she oversees the Chapter’s direct mail, digital fundraising, donor events, individual donor fundraising, and supports grant work. Prior to serving as a Trustee for Friends of Rouge Park, Cara was the Public Engagement Intern for the organization. As an Intern, she worked to expand park programming through winter events, stewardship workdays, nature walks, and growing the year end giving campaign.
As a Trustee, Cara enjoys attending and supporting park events and participates in the Programming and Fundraising Committees. Cara also enjoys volunteering with Friends of the Rouge's Bug Hunts to support data collection that tracks the health of the Rouge Watershed. Growing up near Lake Michigan sparked Cara’s love for the outdoors and interest in environmental issues. In her free time, Cara enjoys exploring new trails with her dog, Sadie, collecting rocks at the beach, and camping with friends.
As a Trustee, Cara enjoys attending and supporting park events and participates in the Programming and Fundraising Committees. Cara also enjoys volunteering with Friends of the Rouge's Bug Hunts to support data collection that tracks the health of the Rouge Watershed. Growing up near Lake Michigan sparked Cara’s love for the outdoors and interest in environmental issues. In her free time, Cara enjoys exploring new trails with her dog, Sadie, collecting rocks at the beach, and camping with friends.
JJ Velez, Trustee JJ Velez is the Director of Public Space at the Gilbert Family Foundation, where he leads projects and partnerships that advance the foundation’s mission to elevate public spaces. His work focuses on enhancing public parks, fostering engaging activations, and supporting sustainable public art. Before joining the organization in 2020, JJ served as Deputy Director of the City of Detroit’s Parks & Recreation Department. In his current role, JJ brings boundless enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to community engagement, forging innovative partnerships that push beyond traditional boundaries. He deeply understands the transformative power of quality programming—especially sports and after-school initiatives—because of the impact they’ve had on his own life. Committed to creating accessible, vibrant public spaces where communities can connect, JJ also dedicates significant time to volunteer efforts that further strengthen the city he serves.
Patrick Duggan, Trustee
Patrick Duggan is the Manager of Community and Social Responsibility and the Pistons Foundation. In this role, he oversees fundraising efforts for the Pistons Foundation, awards grants, and activates initiatives aligned with the Detroit Pistons' Community & Social Responsibility mission in education, health and fitness, mentoring, and equality. Previously, Patrick worked for the Detroit Police Athletic League, providing sports programs for the city's youth. He is passionate about sports, Detroit, and serving his community. Patrick is a member of the Friends of Rouge Park and serves as a Trustee on their Board of Directors, where he sits on both the Program Committee and the Rouge Park Centennial Celebration Committee.
Patrick Duggan is the Manager of Community and Social Responsibility and the Pistons Foundation. In this role, he oversees fundraising efforts for the Pistons Foundation, awards grants, and activates initiatives aligned with the Detroit Pistons' Community & Social Responsibility mission in education, health and fitness, mentoring, and equality. Previously, Patrick worked for the Detroit Police Athletic League, providing sports programs for the city's youth. He is passionate about sports, Detroit, and serving his community. Patrick is a member of the Friends of Rouge Park and serves as a Trustee on their Board of Directors, where he sits on both the Program Committee and the Rouge Park Centennial Celebration Committee.
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Kate Gmyrek, City Liason Kate Gmyrek is an Assistant Chief of Landscape Architecture with the City of Detroit's General Services Department, where she works as the landscape architect managing Rouge Park, as well as other natural areas in the park system. She holds an undergraduate degree in geography from DePaul University and a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Southern California. She spends her spare time exploring the city’s parks and open spaces with her family and gardening in their yard.
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Staff Bios
Antonio Cosme, Stewardship Manager Antonio Rafael, the Land Stewardship Manager at Rouge Park is a Coahuiltecan and Boricua agroecologist, artist, educator, and organizer from Southwest, Detroit. With a background in social justice, environmentalism and economics, he educates on topics ranging from climate chaos being rooted in colonial history, to neoliberalism and mushroom foraging. Here at Rouge Park Antonio leads our team of Rouge Park Stewards to build trails, manage invasive species and build up a natural areas management team.
Outside of Rouge, Antonio helps lead traditional ecological activities like hunting/fishing, wild ricing and the sugarbush project with native communities in Detroit and across the Great Lakes via a nonprofit he helped cofound called Black to the Land. Antonio also works with a prescribed burn crew seasonally. Ultimately, he is passionate about getting urban peoples outdoors and restoring healthy ecosystems!
Outside of Rouge, Antonio helps lead traditional ecological activities like hunting/fishing, wild ricing and the sugarbush project with native communities in Detroit and across the Great Lakes via a nonprofit he helped cofound called Black to the Land. Antonio also works with a prescribed burn crew seasonally. Ultimately, he is passionate about getting urban peoples outdoors and restoring healthy ecosystems!
Alex Allen III (Lex), Program Manager
Lindsay Pielack, Executive Director Lindsay joined Friends of Rouge Park as their first Executive Director in 2025. Previous to joining Friends of Rouge Park, Lindsay was the Co-Director at Keep Growing Detroit. From 2004-2024, Lindsay was instrumental in facilitating the growth of the Garden Resource Program which grew from 80 gardens in 2004 to over 2,500 in 2024 and has fueled the expansion of the thriving network of productive urban gardens and farms serving families and communities across the city. Lindsay was raised in NW Detroit in Rosedale Park and loves to spend time in Rouge Park. She is a regular swimmer at Brennan Pools and her favorite spot in the park is the Heron Rookery!