ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Allentown Parknership is set to get its first director before celebrating its first birthday.
Ruffian Tittmann is scheduled to start March 31 as the nonprofit’s executive director, according to a news release.
Allentown Parknership "encourages involvement and investment in the Allentown parks and recreation programs by developing partnerships with others who share our passion for the parks," the organization says on its website.
"We are fortunate to have one of the best parks systems in our region. Together, we can make our parks and recreation programs even better and ensure that all people have equitable access to them."
Allentown Parknership website
"We are fortunate to have one of the best parks systems in our region," it says.
"Together, we can make our parks and recreation programs even better and ensure that all people have equitable access to them."
Tittmann will take over the Parknership after almost two decades at Friends of the Wissahickon, a storied nonprofit that works with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.
Tittmann has served as that organization’s executive director since 2020; she worked in development and fundraising for seven years before joining FOW, the release states.
She will be tasked with shaping the Parknership’s development and implementing its vision and strategy, according to the release.
'Deep expertise'
Simon Moore, chairman of the organization’s board, touted Tittmann’s work with public-private parks partnerships.
Her “deep expertise [in that area] … will be essential to the Parknership’s success as a new organization,” Moore said.
“We are sure she will quickly feel welcome and — more importantly — make a positive difference in the lives of all residents."
Simon Moore, chairman of the Allentown Parknership board of directors
“We are sure she will quickly feel welcome and — more importantly — make a positive difference in the lives of all residents."
Tittmann said Allentown Parknership is the best place for the “next chapter” of her career because it offers “an enormous opportunity to build community trust and support for [the organization] from the ground up.”
She highlighted residents’ “real pride” in the city’s parks system, which are the setting for so many “cherished memories.”
Allentown Parknership was founded last spring with a donation of more than $500,000 from the Harry C. Trexler Trust.
The Rider-Pool Foundation contributed $75,000 to cover startup costs for the new nonprofit and gave another $500,000 in November.
Officials said that “landmark gift” will help establish an endowment to improve health outcomes in the city’s underserved communities.