Julia O’Kane has been involved with the Parkway since its early days in 1985 or so. As Assistant Superintendent in Madera Unified School District she was asked to help the Parkway establish a field trip program for elementary students. That became the Parkway’s first attempt to bring young people out to the river.
When she retired in 2006, some Parkway Board members came knocking, hoping that she would join the Board. She did that in 2008. The field trip program and been reduced by school budget cuts at that time. Julia joined the education committee and helped reinvigorate the program.
She joined the Board because she was asked. She stayed on the Board because she has been able to watch the Parkway grow and develop into a great community asset. She just enjoys being out watching the students in their field trips, exploring our properties and trails and seeing first hand how a community can come together to protect a valuable resource.
When she retired in 2006, some Parkway Board members came knocking, hoping that she would join the Board. She did that in 2008. The field trip program and been reduced by school budget cuts at that time. Julia joined the education committee and helped reinvigorate the program.
She joined the Board because she was asked. She stayed on the Board because she has been able to watch the Parkway grow and develop into a great community asset. She just enjoys being out watching the students in their field trips, exploring our properties and trails and seeing first hand how a community can come together to protect a valuable resource.
