About Us

Who We Are

Friends of Bandon Parks & Recreation (FOBPR) is an all-volunteer organization.
FOBPR volunteers are dedicated to improving Bandon’s parks and recreational opportunities for all age groups and abilities.
Our goals are to raise community awareness and funds for special projects in the City of Bandon’s parks and for recreational activities.
FOBPR volunteers strive to become the community’s stewards for our parks.
We are a dedicated team who believe that parks are fundamental today and for future generations.
We advocate for safe streets for bicycles and pedestrians.

Core Values

Education

Be informed and expand our knowledge

Integrity

Make our actions count in a responsible way

Commitment

Honor agreements and respect our partners

Empowerment

Encourage everyone to find their own strengths

Resourcefulness

Believe we will find what we need

FOBPR — Meet Our Leadership

President/Communications: Laura Brownfield, M.Ed., University of Phoenix

Laura currently servs on Bandon's Parks & Recreation advisory committee. She enjoys creating fused glass, playing pickleball, and sharing with the community. Laura was a Middle School Educator, and previously, a contracting officer for the Department of Defense (DOD). Currently she is FOBPR's Webmaster (Design and Layout) and produces the FOBPR monthly newsletter with Steve.

Vice President: Claudine Hundhousen

Claudine is a native of the Pacific Northwest, served on the Bandon City Council for twelve years. Her favorite park is Volunteer Park in Seattle, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, landscape architect and designer of Central Park in New York City. She is a retired realtor, and a graduate of the National Appraisal Institute.

The beautiful parks in the four states where I have lived have been inspirational and instructional in demonstrating the value of public support for well-loved green spaces.

“The advocacy of such an organization (FOBPR) will continue to be an asset to this community.”

Secretary: Steve Friedland, M.A., University of Iowa University

FOBPR was co-founded by Steve. He served on Bandon’s Parks and Recreation Commission as Chair. Steve is Professor of Statistics at National University’s College of Law and Public Service. Steve is responsible for FOBPR’s interactions with government agencies such as Oregon’s DOJ and the IRS. He enjoys baseball, ragtime music, and fine dining.

Treasurer: Wade Troxell, B.S., United States Naval Academy

Wade and his wife, Sharon, moved from Texas to Bandon in September 2022 after entering retirement. Wade spent 30 years with Target Corporation as a Senior Distribution Director leading a major distribution center operation in east Texas for 22 years. Wade is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served as an Artillery Officer in the United States Marine Corps for six years. Wade and Sharon have three adult children and one grandchild. Wade volunteers at the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge serving as a property steward. He is an avid bird watcher and enjoys being outdoors on local early morning excursions. Prior to joining FOBPR as Treasurer, he volunteered with Bandon’s Parks and Recreation Commission.

Member at Large: Andrea Burke, M.S.Ed., Portland State University

Andrea Burke moved to Bandon in 2021 with her husband, Michael. They have three adult children and two grandchildren. Andrea is a retired educator. She taught in public and private schools as a teacher librarian, classroom teacher, English language learner specialist, and outdoor education leader. She offers her devotion to nature and ability to serve in civic organizations to FOBPR. She also volunteers for the SMART reading program and the Native Plant Society of Oregon,South Coast Chapter.

Advisor: Margaret Pounder

Margaret has cultivated a dynamic and multifaceted career spanning several industries, showcasing a unique blend of leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and community engagement. In 2019 after being a volunteer for several years, she served as the Executive Director of the Bandon Chamber of Commerce in Bandon, Oregon. Beginning in the travel management sector, she founded several companies; 4 travel agencies, a travel agent training school, several corporate travel departments. She is excited to share her knowledge with FOBPR.

Here is what our partners are saying about us ...

From the City of Bandon

FOBPR is one of Greater Bandon Assoc. (GBA)'s success stories. We pride ourselves in assisting startup nonprofits and offering them an initial fiscal affiliation until they can thrive on their own. Not all groups succeed and move forward, but the leadership team of FOBPR is professional, organized, gets things done in the community, and is being recognized for their efforts. FOBPR is a good partner and is now on their way to becoming a full 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that is making a difference in our Bandon community.

Harv Schubothe, Executive Director, Greater Bandon Association (GBA)

As the Mayor of Bandon, I have known Christine Hall to be an enthusiastic member and Chair of Bandon’s Park & Recreation Commission for more than three years. She was in charge of Earth Day for two years. This was a one-day event attended by more than 150 people and held in Bandon’s library. Together with our librarian and many other volunteer citizens, this was said to be "an event for all ages."

In 2021 Christine founded Friends of Bandon Parks & Recreation (FOBPR) as a fundraising organization to help address some of the under-funded or non-funded park projects and recreational activities. FOBPR is already a big success.

FOBPR has initiated or helped support pickleball in City Park, a brand-new sport to Bandon. Her Friends volunteers helped with clean-up work at the Bandon school grounds and in City Park. In addition, Christine has collaborated with the City of Bandon and Stillwater Natives Nursery to sponsor “The 100 Tree Planting” event involving the community as part of the continued Reforestation Project in Bandon’s City Park.

Friends of Bandon Parks & Recreation contributes much to our community.

Mayor Mary Schamehorn, City of Bandon

FOBPR has been is an enthusiastic sponsor of StoryWalk® in Bandon’s City Park. FOBPR provided funding and prepared the initial set of StoryWalk ® plaques used along the walkway. FOBPR also participated in providing volunteers in preparing the gravel along the walkway. We hope to continue to partner with FOBPR in the future.

Christine Kingsbury, MLIS, Library Director, City of Bandon

FOBPR is a great community partner. It has always supported the efforts of our pickleball group and promotes the sport through its monthly newsletters. We replaced our pickleball court surface in our City Park, for which FOBPR has donated funds toward. We are very appreciative of them, and they are a fantastic organization in the Bandon community.
Nicolette Cline, Pickleball Treasurer

Christine and I worked together when she was the Chair of the City's Parks & Recreation Commission. She recognized that there were community needs that were not being met by the Commission's work and took the initiative to start Friends of Bandon Parks & Recreation. Since then, the work of FOBPR has complemented many of the City's projects, bringing inspiration, funding, and volunteers. We look forward to a continued partnership with FOBR for years to come.

Dana Nichols, Planning Manager, City of Bandon

From the Bandon City Council, FOBPR received the following compliment:

In the City Manager’s February monthly newsletter, FOBPR was mentioned for its volunteer efforts in both City Park and Johnson Creek Greenway. We are making a difference in many small ways. Join us this year for our next Spring cleanup of City Park and Tree Plantings in November.

"2023 Tree Planting Event. The Bandon City Council would like to recognize the Friends of Bandon Parks and Recreation, and the generosity of Darcy Grahek and Samantha Stanger for their donations, which made for a successful tree planting event this past year."