About Friends of Jackson Park

We believe open space strengthens communities and support the development of additional open space near Jackson Park.

Meet the Team

Executive Director

Jude Deckenbach
Jude's experience bridges the corporate and non-profit worlds. As a National Marketing Manager at a Wall Street Financial Institution, Jude managed a $2.5 billion-dollar fixed income product. Once she moved to San Francisco, she transferred to the banking side of the street where she developed and executed the marketing plans for comprehensive global custody solutions to financial and investment entities requiring securities processing, reporting and safekeeping services in over 60 markets worldwide. After taking a break from the corporate world to raise her three children in Potrero Hill, Jude became the founding Executive Director of The Reading Tree, an early literacy non-profit organization. For the past 26 years, she has been immersed in the non-profit world through her professional and volunteer work. She is an active member of the San Francisco Early Literacy Network. In 2015 she was hired by Friends of Jackson Park to help create a renovation plan for the park, shepherdit through the various City agencies until completion and fundraise to support this project.

Board Members

Booka Alon, Admin Chair

Booka is a certified nutrition consultant and garden educator who is passionate about connecting kids with nature, growing community and learning about our local food system. After landing in San Francisco in 2006 she helped launch several large-scale urban farming projects, including Hayes Valley Farm, a four acre urban farm and education center. Booka designed The Learning Garden at Jackson Park (Mariposa at Carolina), a dynamic learning hub highlighting perennials, pollinators and edible plants. The Learning Garden’s mission is to help families connect with our local food system and feel empowered to grow their own food. Booka continues her 6th year serving as manager of The Learning Garden, through a partnership with Live Oak School.

Jason Barton, Marketing & Outreach Chair

Jason is a program manager with demonstrated success leading the delivery of software enterprise development tools that enhance functionality, productivity, and efficiency in business processes and overall operations. He and his wife have lived in Potrero Hill since 2006 and are active in many community causes, especially those related to their two young boys. Having logged many hours at Jackson and other neighborhood parks with his family, Jason understands these dynamic urban oases play a critical role in the social, economic and physical well-being of our neighborhood and its residents.

Kathleen Dodge Doherty

Kathleen is a freelance writer and editor, specializing in travel and outdoor writing. A contributor to AFAR and VIA magazines as well as numerous websites, Kathleen has penned a guidebook on hiking the John Muir trail and written for Fodor's, Lonely Planet, and Moon Handbooks on everything from the most memorable museums in France to the best dive bars of San Francisco. She has lived in Potrero Hill for over a decade and is raising two children within walking distance of Jackson Park. Prior to settling in San Francisco, Kathleen spent over a decade developing bicycling and hiking trips, hiring and training new leaders, and writing marketing copy for Backroads, an active travel company based in Berkeley. Kathleen is committed to her neighborhood and its love and need of green space.

Kimberly Floren

Kimberly moved to San Francisco her junior year of high school and never looked back. Kimberly dove into the world of finance immediately after graduation landing a job on the options floor of the Pacific Stock Exchange. Not too much time passed before she was recruited by Dreyfus Financial where she became a top financial officer in the retirement sector. Kimberly was scooped up by Charles Schwab where she continued down the path of finance. Kimberly decided to take a well-earned break from the world of money and earned a BS in kinesiology from San Francisco State University. As a resident of Potrero Hill for more than 21 years, Kimberly was thrilled to land a job at Umpqua’s Potrero Hill branch. Kimberly enjoys spending her time off walking her beloved dog up and down the hills, volunteering at Friends of the Public Library and anything that allows her to get her hands in dirt.

Rodney Minott

Rodney is a long-time resident of Potrero Hill and the proud father of a four-year old boy. He is active in many community causes and co-founded the grassroots neighborhood group Save The Hill. After a decades long career as an on-air reporter and producer for both commercial and public television he now focuses on independent video projects that include mini-documentaries for non-profit groups.

Meghan Sheedy

Meghan lives a block away from Jackson Park with her husband and two young children. She has a background in PR and has worked in the areas of technology, art and design. Currently, she represents a sculptor who creates large-scale public art. An avid traveler, she has spent time in some of the world’s largest cities, observing first-hand the vital role of parks and open space with enhancing livability in urban areas.

Elain Sprague Stuebe

Elain has lived in San Francisco for 26 years, of which 15 years have been here in Potrero Hill. She and her husband are raising two children, both of whom go to San Francisco Unified School District schools, including Daniel Webster. Elain and her family spend many hours every week at Jackson Park. They love the Potrero Hill community and remain active in numerous causes that bring them together with their neighbors.

Join Our Team

If you have an interest in becoming more involved in the day to day activities and wish to inquire about assisting our board as a committee member, please fill out the information below.

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Timeline

Historical images of the park in courtesy:

Potrero Hill Archives Project

Contact Friends of Jackson Park

Friends of Jackson Park, 368 Connecticut St, San Francisco, CA 94107 USA