Meet the friends!

Hi Friends! Kim Jones has lived in Auburn for most of her life. She is a lover of anything outdoors, especially when she can bring her dog along. Growing up here, Kim has seen many different levels of growth within Emerson Park. She does not take lightly being the Chair of an amazing group of individuals who have committed their time to bring the best of the park back. Kim cannot begin to explain the excitement the group shares in bringing the community an outdoor space to enjoy and share memories with friends and loved ones.

Diana is the newest member of FOEs. Born and raised in Romania, Transilvania specifically, she has settled here in Auburn with her husband Eric and two kiddos. Diana has worked in the hospitality business for the past 17 years. She also volunteers with local programs for families and children provided by the Red Cross and World Vision and is excited to expand her community outreach working with the FOEs.

Kira has been a resident of Auburn her entire young life. Jack of all trades, Kira works in accounts payable at D&W Diesel and is also a hair stylist. She and her dog Murphy love being outside. Being able to pair that with helping out the community is a bonus. Kira looks forward to seeing Emerson Park come back to life with this group of amazing women!

Manette acts as the liaison between the FOEs and the Cayuga County Parks and Trails Department. Working as the Deputy Director of the department, she and Director Doug Dello Stritto encouraged the establishment of the Friend’s group. Manette is excited about the opportunities this partnership will continue to bring to the park.

Molly (Brown) McNabb lives in the Town of Owasco with her husband Emmett, son Ryan and border collie/lab Ellie. She is very excited to join FOEs and work with an amazing group of women to make the Park “the place to be”.  Being right down the street from Emerson Park, she cannot wait to bring her son to the playground that FOEs is working so hard to fundraise for and build. Molly is also on the board of Scat Van and the campaign committee for the United Way of Cayuga County.

Meghan (Bishop) Mizro grew up in Auburn and currently resides in the Town of Owasco with her husband David. Growing up she loved playing sports through middle and high school and continues this love with teaching Physical Education in the Syracuse City School District. Along with teaching she continues her love for activities/sports by coaching soccer and lacrosse at various levels of the game. Meghan is not only a member of the FOEs, but also is on the Auburn Athletic Hall of Fame Board, and the KT Foundation.

Residing in Auburn with her dog Brutus, Nikki is a local artist, beautifying our community with her window paintings around town via Nikki BieL Designs. She continues to take an active role in her community volunteering, hosting paint parties, and working with at risk youth. Nikki is excited to join the FOEs in continuing her community outreach.

Rachel resides in Auburn with her very small dog, Odin. Rachel shares fond memories of Emerson Park as a child. As do many of you, she hopes that the Park will soon become the light of the County again and a destination for families. She dedicates her time to FOEs to give back to the next generation of youth and families which aligns with her work outside of FOEs.

Alyssa resides in the Town of Owasco and is a newly joined member of FOEs. With a passion for giving back to the community, she’s excited to support local events and initiatives. Alyssa shares the community’s hope that the park continues to grow as a vibrant destination for families and friends to gather. She looks forward to connecting with neighbors and supporting efforts that benefit the next generation of visitors!

Kathy is an Elementary school teacher in Skaneateles, a mom of four, and a wife to a loving husband, Mike. Having had a house on Owasco Lake all her life, Kathy’s love for Emerson Park has never left her heart. She is so excited to be a member of FOEs and to help develop this amazing vision of the destination playground! She hopes to bring joy to so many, just as the rocket slide, years ago, brought joy to her childhood!

A lifelong Auburn resident, Kelly’s connection to Emerson Park and Owasco Lake began in childhood. Summers were filled with memories of swimming in the lake and climbing the iconic rocket slide. As Kelly and her husband raised their family here, the park remained a central part of their lives; a place of joy, connection, and community.

Today, as an elementary school teacher, she is passionate about creating opportunities for children and families to experience the same magic that Emerson Park has offered for generations. Kelly is honored to serve on the board of Friends of Emerson Park and to support the incredible work this group has done to enhance and preserve this cherished space.

“I’m especially excited to be part of the efforts to bring the island playground to life, a destination I believe will draw families from across the Finger Lakes region to enjoy, explore, and play.”

Edward O’Connor was an entrepreneur, business owner, public servant, and educator during a 40-year career adventure. Currently, he is Chairman of Development for “Friends of Emerson Park” a Cayuga County Park development non-profit organization. Ed previously provided marketing event programming services for the new Exposition Center at The Great NYS Fairgrounds.
As an educator, Ed was an Adjunct Professor of history, government and economics at Marist University and Dutchess Community College. Ed is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University, American University and the University of Notre Dame.

Ed and his wife Anne reside with their dog Bailey on Owasco Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York.