Board of Directors and Committee Chairs

Founded in 1988, The Friends of Presqu'ile Park is a 100% volunteer organization consisting of over 230 members, people just like you, who share an interest in this beautiful resource.

We have a strong belief in the importance of sharing the valuable knowledge and experiences with both current and future generations.  Presqu'ile Park, with its unusual combination of diverse ecosystems and a myriad of intriguing historical events, is a special place in Ontario whose story needs to be shared.

Our Board of Directors is made up of up to 9 volunteers and 1 Park representative, all of whom bring a special dedication to our group.

Scroll down to read more about our volunteers who serve on the  Board of Directors and/or as committee chairs:

Board of Directors

Committee Chairs

Volunteer Profiles

Linda Alkenbrack, Treasurer

Presqu’ile Park has been a big part of our lives since moving to Brighton in 1990. We arrived here when our three daughters were young and walks through the park were a weekly, or sometimes daily, event. Now, as retirees, we visit the park as often as ever, usually bringing our dog Molly, or one or two of the grandchildren. A graduate of Queen’s University, I have worked as a freelance bookkeeper and as Budget Manager for Trent University’s Bata Library. I am happy to be able to give back to the park by serving as Treasurer for the Friends of Presqu’ile.

Terry Buchkowsky:  Director at Large

Terry’s career background was in Marketing & Sales with various transportation companies.  His business demeanor & love of the outdoors has been valuable to the various organizations in which he has served as President, namely The Drag Lake Property Owners Association in Haliburton, plus the Brampton & Mississauga Transportation Clubs.  He has been coming through the gates of Presqu’ile Provincial Park for close to 25 years.  He & his wife Michelle along with Michelle’s dad Mike Pearson, a long time resident himself to the area, now reside on Bayshore Rd.   Their daughter Emily, is a business graduate of Carleton U and currently lives in Ottawa.

Beverlie Cook: Chair of Communications

Beverlie Cook enjoyed many camping trips to Presqu’ile Park. In fact, that is what brought her and her husband Ted to Brighton. Bev firmly believes in giving back to the community she calls home. After volunteering to prepare the Policies and Procedures for The Friends of Presqu’ile Park, Bev was extremely impressed with the work they do. 30 years’ experience in Association Management, working with both charitable and business associations, serves Bev well as the Chair of The Friends of Presqu’ile Park. Bev offers her professional services, to assist The Friends of Presqu’ile Park as they move forward with the many exciting initiatives they have planned. It has been Bev’s great pleasure to serve as the Chair of the Board for the past two years. In June 2019, Bev is entering her final year on the Board of Directors. Her past roles have included: Corporate Secretary, and Finance Director. She’s also a keen volunteer at Christmas @ Presqu’ile. In Bev’s spare time, she enjoys pole walking, reading and traveling with Ted. They are the proud parents of two sons and enjoy spoiling our five grandchildren.

Bjorn Jakobsen: Director at Large

I am retired after working in various sales capacities ending my career as VP Sales in a Canadian company for 23 years.  In that role I was responsible for a sales department with 25 salesmen, servicemen and district managers across the country.

My wife and I are avid campers and have visited a number of Provincial Parks.  Presqu'ile is one of our favourites and we return regularly. For the past two years, I have volunteered as the photographer for the Memorial Tree planting.

I am interested in several of the organization’s  projects and hope to apply my talents where they can be most useful can be useful.

Amy McQuaid-England: Director at Large

Amy McQuaid-England is a communications and social media professional and owner of a successful boutique communications agency called Determined Media located in Brighton.

She has over a decade of experience in political activism including being a past Regional and City Councilor in Oshawa from 2010-2018.

Amy has a passions for making real change and a difference in her community. She has proven to be a strong advocate for environmental stewardship as the past vice chair of the Round Table on Climate change at the Region of Durham. And through her unique storytelling in 2016, she received a Bronze Independent International award for her short documentary on food insecurity in Oshawa called "The Garden."

Her educational background includes graduating from Seneca's Documentary Filmmaking Institute (DFI) 2016 summer program, a graduate program in Film in 2019, and Print Journalism diploma from Durham College in 2008.

Phil McRae: Chair, Chair of Environmental Initiatives

Phil is currently our Chair and has also held the Chair of Environmental Initiatives for over six years. Phil resides in Oshawa; but is a life-long cottager at Presqu’ile. He is retired from a long career with General Motors. He is also a member of the first graduating class from Trent University. In addition to his long volunteer service to the Friends, Phil is a former director of the Oshawa Kinsman Club. He currently serves as the leader of SOS (seniors on Spokes) Bicycle Group. 

Ian Manson: Director at Large

Ian is retired from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Forest Industry Division, where he developed workforce development, forest education and training initiatives, as well as managing forest economics research and marketing projects. Prior to that he spent several years with a multinational firm as a business economist. He has a combined B.A. Hons degree in physics and economics in addition to a Masters degree in Environmental Studies specializing in local economic development. Ian lives with his wife in the Port Hope area and his interests include making wood products, writing and giving something back to Presqu’ile Provincial Park which has been an inspiration for Ian and his family for over 40 years.

Wayne Meyers: Director at Large

Wayne has over 35 years of experience in the finance field. He served as Comptroller for a large trucking firm in the Trenton area. Wayne has volunteered at Christmas @ Presqu’ile and also assisted the Friends’ treasurer with banking duties. Wayne will serve as a Director-at-large. Wayne is a life- long Presqu’ile Park visitor. He and his wife and family are regular campers at the Park, often spending most of the summer.

Larry Paradis: Director, Chair of Operations

Larry was the Operations Manager for Sea to Sky Highway in British Columbia for past 12 years. Prior to this Larry was the Operations Manager for Miller Maintenance in Peterborough.   Larry’s been a The Friends of Presqu’ile Volunteer through invasive species removal, tree planting and building viewing platforms.   He and his wife Carole moved to Presqu’ile 4 years ago. Their three children and six grandchildren all live nearby.

Cindy Richards:  Director at Large

Cindy has been a resident of Brighton since 1987 and a long-time friend of the park.  Frequent explorations with her family and dogs, have revealed a very special connection to the many paths, trees, and creatures who she is lucky enough to have discovered over the years.  Now she is very pleased to be able to be a part of the efforts to contribute back to the park and the community.