The Allentown Parknership (allentownparknership.org), an independent non-profit organization devoted to enhancing Allentown’s parks and recreation programs, has named Allentown resident Simon Moore as the organization’s first chair of the board. The volunteer board will provide essential community engagement, strategic guidance and oversight to the new organization.

A 14-year Allentown resident, Moore is a frequent user of the city’s parks. He is an active civic leader, currently serving on the Board of Trustees and Audit & Finance Committee at ArtsQuest. Past board positions include the Board of Trustees at Baum School of Art and the Tocqueville Society Cabinet for United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Moore retired from Air Products in 2023, last serving as Vice President, Investor Relations, Corporate Relations, and Sustainability after a 34-year career with the Fortune 500 company. While there, he was President of the Air Products Foundation, Executive Champion of Spectrum (an LGTBQ+ employee resource group) and Vice Chairman of the company’s Political Alliance Steering Committee. He is currently a valued consultant to companies and investors focused on the energy transition, low-carbon hydrogen projects and markets, and the industrial gas business.

“Simon has an essential combination of passion for our parks, proven leadership ability, philanthropic expertise and community connections that will be essential as the Parknership moves forward to achieve its mission,” said Jamie Musselman, who with Donald Bernhard and Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk stand as the organization’s first board members. “Simon and his fellow board members will listen to voices in the community and have meaningful conversations about the needs of all Allentonians and the initiatives that will have the most impact.”

Moore said the Parknership is excited about working closely with the City of Allentown. He is encouraged by the interest from community leaders about the board of directors, volunteers who understand the diversity of needs of Allentown’s residents and represent a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints, including different areas of the city. He said the board’s ranks will build gradually through 2024 into 2025.

“We are fortunate to have one of Pennsylvania’s best parks systems, which is critical to help our neighbors lead healthy lifestyles, enjoy nature and improve their quality of life. I’m honored and excited to take on this role to help enhance our parks as Allentown continues to grow and the community’s needs evolve,” said Moore. “We realize that a lot of work is ahead to build a vital organization.”

“We will be thoughtful, intentional and inclusive with our efforts while moving forward as quickly as possible. We are thankful to the Trexler Trust for its vision to create The Allentown Parknership. It’s now up to us to make that vision a reality.”

One of the developing board’s most important actions will be conducting a search for an executive director to manage the organization’s operations and projects and support raising the funds necessary to further increase the value of the city’s park system to the community. Moore said The Allentown Parknership has retained a leading national search firm to identify the ideal candidate for the organization.

 

About The Allentown Parknership

The Allentown Parknership was introduced in March 2024 to collaborate with the City of Allentown to expand and enhance the city’s 44 parks and playgrounds and develop recreation programs that meet the community’s varied needs. The organization will raise money, seek grants, undertake other fundraising activities and support projects in partnership with those who share a passion for the city’s parks. Funds will be used to realize the projects and initiatives identified and prioritized in an upcoming comprehensive parks plan that will be led by the city with thorough input from residents and stakeholders.

The Allentown Parknership builds on the legacy of General Harry C. Trexler, considered by many to be the Father of the Allentown Park System. The Trexler Trust provided the guidance, management expertise and has invested more than $500,000 since 2019 to bring the Allentown Parknership to life as an independent entity.

More and online donations: allentownparknership.org

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Drabenstott