Message from the Chair

It is an honor for me to be the newly elected Board Chair of Washington Parks and People. This is an auspicious time for the organization. Under the visionary Leadership of Steve Coleman, the organization is recognized nationally as a leading organization in furthering interest in urban parks. Steve’s commitment to not only improve parks but to use them as a vehicle to improve the lives of DC residents is our collective inspiration. Just as parks are essential to a healthy community, park conditions are an indicator of neighborhood health. 

As Board Chair, it will be my mission to support that vision by providing management tools to allow the organization to grow its capacity to implement projects and nurture partnerships with businesses, foundations and government agencies.   My objectives include developing WPP into a membership organization so that thousands of District of Columbia residents can contribute to the mission and share our success. Another objective is to raise the profile of the organization through regular press releases and issuance of report cards on park conditions.   Where we find challenges, WPP will act to facilitate the mobilization of resources to address them.

John Henderson
Chair, Washington Parks & People

Research and Evaluation Manager for Prince George's County Department of Parks & Recreation

About John Henderson

John Henderson, a DC resident, has over 30 years of experience in parks and recreation, including twelve years with the Chicago Park District and eight with The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. John is certified as a parks and recreation professional, city planner, public participation practitioner, arbitrator and mediator. He is an attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois and the District of Columbia. Currently he is completing courses to earn a certificate in Public Performance Measurement from Rutgers University. John holds a Juris Doctor degree from The John Marshall Law School and Bachelors in Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati. He has written several articles and lectured nationally and internationally. He is a member of Leadership Washington Class of 2004. John has served on boards of several Chicago-based non-profit organizations, including North River Commission, Friends of Downtown, NeighborSpace and, most recently, arch-treasures where he was a founder and board president.