Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025
Former LA City Council member and Parks Forward commissioner adds public policy depth to nonprofit partner of California State Parks
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Michael Woo has joined the Parks California Board of Directors, bringing decades of leadership in civic planning, public access and inclusive design to help shape the future of California’s parks.
Woo, a former Los Angeles City Council member and longtime champion of environmental planning and inclusive public space, was confirmed during the organization’s summer board meeting.
A pioneering urban planner, Woo served on the Parks Forward Commission, which laid the groundwork for the creation of Parks California. As dean emeritus of the College of Environmental Design at Cal Poly Pomona, he collaborated with students to design affordable, climate-friendly cabins for California State Parks — helping expand access to overnight stays in nature.
“Michael brings the kind of big-picture thinking and public leadership that Parks California was built to support,” said Kindley Walsh Lawlor, president and CEO, Parks California. “From local parks in Los Angeles to statewide systems change, he’s worked across sectors to protect the lands we love and ensure they’re welcoming to all.”
Woo’s public service includes preserving Fryman Canyon in Studio City as open space, helping create L.A.’s first designated dog park and opposing environmentally harmful flood wall projects along the Los Angeles River. His planning leadership has helped bridge community priorities with long-term environmental resilience.
“We’re honored to have such a remarkable group of thinkers and doers helping shape our path forward,” said Deanna Martin Mackey, board chair and general manager of KPBS-San Diego. “Michael will bring powerful ideas, shared values and an unwavering belief in the important role parks can have for us all.”
With these appointments, the Parks California board of directors includes:
- Deanna Martin Mackey, chair – San Diego
- Michael Mantell, vice chair – Sacramento
- Rosie Clayburn Katri, secretary – Klamath
- José G. Gonzáles, treasurer – Sacramento
- Steve Lockhart, founding board chair – Oakland
- Michael Camuñez, Fresno
- Amy Dominguez-Arms, Berkeley
- Helen Hernandez, Pasadena
- Rick Keating, San Francisco
- Adam Verdin, Arroyo Grande
- Michael Woo, Los Angeles
- Kindley Walsh Lawlor, San Francisco
- Michele Perrault (ex officio), Sacramento
- Armando Quintero, (ex officio), Sacramento
About Parks California
Parks California is the official nonprofit partner to California State Parks. Working statewide, we bring together communities, funding and expertise to strengthen parks and expand equitable access to the outdoors. We co-design programs, build strategic partnerships and accelerate innovative ideas that ensure all people can experience healthy, vibrant parks — now and for the future.
Parks California was created to do what government alone cannot: bring public, private and nonprofit leaders together to help parks thrive. We work closely with California State Parks and local partners to meet the needs of today’s visitors while planning for the challenges of tomorrow. Our priorities include increasing access and belonging, building climate resilience and shaping the parks of the future.