• Don Andrich (1st President)
• George Econome (1st Vice President, 2nd President)
• Bill Bonham (3rd President, established non profit 501c3)
• John Handy (4th President)
• Bob Mange (5th President)
• Dave Benevento (6th President)
• Chuck Leroy (7th President)
• Mo Elliott
• Tom Doherty
• Nick Econome
• Craig Burnett
• Steve Toney
• Roger Zittle
• Jerry Jones
• Phil Moeszinger
• Don Reid
• Pete Pepito
• John Vance

There were three parks prior to the establishment of the FAA:

Folsom City Lions Park – Lions Club – Folsom Prison Acquisition

Lew Howard Park – Rotary Club – Sacramento County Gift

Garden Park – Garden Club – City of Folsom Road Realignment

Lembi Community Park was acquired by the FAA through a donation from the Natomas Land and Mining Company.

28 parks have been completed since Lembi Park with the help of the FAA, Parks & Recreation Commission, and Folsom City Council. 16 mini parks, 9 neighborhood parks, 3 community parks.

There are 12 unfinished parks, 11 undeveloped parks, 1 proposed legacy park, 1 proposed regional park.

Information from 2016

In just several years after its establishment, the FAA accomplished two groundbreaking projects that were fundamental in Folsom’s growth and the city’s increasing focus on health and wellness. First, the FAA turned its dream into reality by creating the Recreation Department for the City, which evolved into the Parks and Recreation Department that we know and love today.

Second, the FAA conceptualized, fundraised for, and constructed the popular thirty-acre Lembi Park. George Econome, Roger Zittel, and John Handy served as the project leaders and collaborated with the other FAA members and over fifteen partners representing construction and engineering companies. This large group of colleagues, known as the Blue Ribbon Committee, named the park in honor of one of its members, Dante P. Lembi, who played an integral role by obtaining the land for the park’s development. Lembi Park has since been nicknamed “Home of the FAA” to represent the birthplace of the trailblazing FAA that had already begun to inspire the community and initiate Folsom’s health movement.

Historic records show that early founders understood the benefits of collaboration and laid the foundation for the Joint Use Agreement.

Amos P. Catlin, Richard Garbett “R.G.” Smith and William “Ed” Mitchell are three of many community activists who understood the importance of quality schools and the value of parks have on the community. Along with hundreds of other civic-minded individuals, they laid the foundation for what has become a statewide model Joint Use and Operational Agreement.

As a Park Commissioner, Ernie Sheldon successfully assisted in the development of the Joint Use Agreement between the Folsom Cordova Unified School District and the City of Folsom. One of many examples of how joint use partnership works – the City of Folsom paid to raise the ceiling in the elementary school’s multipurpose rooms allowing them to be utilized as small gyms. This greatly added to the cities inventory of usable facilities. This agreement allowed for over 233 facilities to be used for the city’s programs and community youth sports leagues.

The Adopt a Facility program brings together all youth sports representatives, city maintenance, and school district representatives to maintain the sports facility. Fees collected by the youth groups are used for facility maintenance and enhancements.

The Operational Agreement between the city and district serves as a supplement to the Joint Use Agreement and provides a mechanism to monitor, refine, modify, and evaluate the on-going operational issues.

As recreational programs, sports teams, and athletic leagues spiked in popularity, most facilities and fields have reached their capacity despite the efforts of park planning and development. In 2004, a guiding tool was created by Folsom Parks & Recreation to meet the short-term and long-term recreational and sports facility needs of the community. The policies and procedures of the Service Delivery Plan provides the structure for Parks & Recreation, Folsom Cordova Unified School District, the Folsom Athletic Association, and Community Youth Sports Leagues to partner on the implementation of best practices.

The FAA conceptualized, fundraised for, and constructed the popular thirty-acre Lembi Park. George Econome, Roger Zittel, and John Handy served as the project leaders and collaborated with the other FAA members and over fifteen partners representing construction and engineering companies. This large group of colleagues, known as the Blue Ribbon Committee, named the park in honor of one of its members, Dante P. Lembi, who played an integral role by obtaining the land for the park’s development. Lembi Park has since been nicknamed “Home of the FAA” to represent the birthplace of the trailblazing FAA that had already begun to inspire the community and initiate Folsom’s health movement.

The FAA was instrumental in setting up the Lembi Park snack bar concession stand that has raised more than $75,000 for youth groups.

During Ernie Sheldon’s tenure as park Commissioner, he partnered with his fellow park and recreation commissioners in drafting the city’s first comprehensive park and recreation master plan. They received valuable input from the Folsom Teen Council. To implement this plan, Ernie successfully guided the adoption of the Park Land Dedication ordinance and the city’s first Park Improvement Fee. This allowed the city to receive park land and ensure the funds would be available to build them. Ernie found numerous creative ways to raise over a million dollars to help leverage city assets and grant funds to build the aquatic center and northern California’s first multi-use synthetic football field, a lighted soccer and softball fieldsat Livermore community park.

Ernie Sheldon was recognized as early as 1996 when city council named a youth sports complex after him. The Ernie Sheldon Park was named in his honor. Ernie’s accomplishments were also recognized in 2002 when he was named California’s Outstanding Park Commissioner and in 2020 when he was awarded Champion of the Community by the California Parks and Recreation Society. Ernie also received the Presidential award from the California Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners.

The FAA was instrumental in establishing the Folsom Aquatic Center.

The FAA was instrumental in establishing the Folsom Sports Complex.

The FAA was instrumental in preserving the decommissioned fire station to be used for a Senior and Arts Center.

As a former library commissioner and one of the original directors of the Friends of the Folsom Library, Ernie Sheldon and the FAA played a key role in partnering with the Folsom Library Commission in identifying City Lions Park as the best location for a new state-of-the-art library. The result of this project included the addition of a flag court honoring all branches of the military.

The FAA was instrumental in building phase four of the Livermore Park Project. This project was to install a synthetic turf field, two lighted softball fields, the overlay of the turf field to be used for soccer, football, and lacrosse, and stadium seating. The cost would be covered by donations:

• Angelo Tsakopoulos $259,999
• Jim Carlson $50,000
• Folsom Soccer Club $100,000
• Girls Softball $100,000 over the years
• Folsom Jr. Eagles $50,000
• Youth football $100,00 over the years
• Lacrosse to raise $50,000

Ernie helped establish the Youth Assistance Scholarship Fund by securing a $25,000 donation from Angelo Tsakopoulos on the assumption that the FAA could match that amount. The amount was soon matched and today that fund sits at $145,000 and has been used to pay for over $80,000 in scholarships allowing hundreds of children to participate in programs they might not have been able to do.

Lois B. Young Scholarship – Lois Young was an early board member who guided the FAA financially utilizing her professional skill as a public certified accountant. In recognition of her dedicated community service, the FAA provides scholarships to high school graduating athletes.

Ken Grossfeld Memorial Scholarship – former Past Folsom American Little League President, Folsom Park Commissioner and Chairman with a passion for the little league program. Ken and his wife Jennifer believed so strongly in the value of athletics that they established a scholarship fund in Ken’s honor.

2007: Summer Kempton Memorial Sports Fund – Summer Kempton was an excellent student, earning a number of academic honors and excelled at all sports, but her first love was soccer. Summer’s scholarship is based on promoting a positive message to our youth athletes about making smart life choices. Summer passed away on February 4, 2007. While the story is very tragic, family and friends have established a memorial fund in her honor. This scholarship is intended to provide an opportunity for recipients to continue their dreams, to make the right personal choices by recognizing what life has to offer, and to focus on taking care of themselves and others. (Folsom High School Girls’ Varsity Soccer player specific.)

2010: Race Salazar Memorial Scholarship – Race Salazar grew up in Folsom, CA playing sports. At the age of 18, he suffered a life-ending heart arrhythmia in his sleep. The Salazar family and friends have made it their mission to help educate parents, teachers, coaches, students, and the community what they learned about Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS). Race’s life continues to have profound meaning and is honored through the Race Salazar Memorial Scholarship.

2015: Maria Totushek Memorial Scholarship – Maria Totushek was an admired Folsom community member with a passion for soccer and a heart for the youth who desired to play it. Although Maria’s passion and generosity cannot be replaced, the FAA wishes to honor her memory with this annual athletic scholarship.

2017: Chuck Harrison “PACE” Memorial Scholarship – Chuck Harrison worked with numerous civic groups and organizations helping to build facilities and programs that truly enriched the lives of thousands of people. Chuck worked for the Folsom Parks & Recreation Department for 22 years; he passed away at the young age of 57 in 2017. Chucks leadership style can be exemplified by his favorite motto P.A.C.E. – Positive Attitude Changes Everything. That simple phrase encompassed all that Chuck was about in how he approached his job, friends, relationships and life.It is in his spirit that the Chuck Harrison “Keeping the PACE” Memorial Scholarship was established.

Project Vision received its first donation from Michael Tudesko, Tudesko Construction ($1,200).

$60,000 was donated to the FAA by the Estate of Madeline Mosley. Madeline passed away in October 2016. She was a special advisor to the Folsom City Council and was involved in many activities with the FAA. Madeline was well known throughout the city for her historical knowledge of Folsom and her effort to preserve the historical land, trails, and open space.

Ernie built a legacy in Folsom with every person he met and every project he was involved with. The Folsom Athletic Association was honored to rename Project Vision to the FAA Ernie Sheldon Legacy Fund for his devotion to the city, its parks and trails, recreation programs, and athletic and youth sports. You will see and feel Ernie’s presence today, and in years to come.

In honor of Ernie, the FAA created the Ernie Sheldon Memorial Scholarship for a Folsom High School and Vista del Lago High School graduating senior. The scholarship is based on the seniors dedication to their high school spirit combined with academic studies, community service and personal perseverance.

The Great Folsom Snail Race was a chamber of commerce fundraising event centered on businesses. When the FAA agreed to take it over, Ernie Sheldon changed it from a business competition to a children and family event. Ernie would go to every elementary school and supervise race heats with the winners invited to the weekend main contest. On the day of the main event, there were carnival games, prizes, trophies and food. FAA raced snails for 10 years.

As part of the agreement when taking over the race, the Lois Young High School Scholarship was funded through proceeds from the Snail Race. This scholarship was given to outstanding high school seniors based on their GPA and participation in sports. Even though we do not race snails anymore, the scholarship fund continued and grew to include more scholarships. Today, there are six memorial scholarships with awards given to 20+ Folsom high school graduating seniors. There are also two scholarship funds that provide uniforms and equipment for youth in need for little league and soccer. Ernie participated in almost every scholarship interview and was awed by the talented seniors.

When the FAA started selling fireworks in the 1990s, Ernie Sheldon was quick to get involved. From organizing the initial paperwork to apply for booth locations, to having the groups work together as one instead of competing against each other, and dividing the volunteer hours equitably. Ernie was instrumental in helping the endeavor be a success.

During the seven day selling period, Ernie would work 14 to 16 hours per day. He could be found at the booth in front of Dicks Sporting Goods store, where he would help manage the booth. He was so committed that he would have his meals at iHop so he could watch the booth. He loved talking to the different volunteers as this gave him an opportunity to find out about any community or sport clubs issues. If he did find an issue, he would try and solve the problem. Ernie was a fixer.

In 1992, the FAA was asked to operate the concession stand at Lembi Park. This program was designed to:

• Provide a quality convenient service to our athletes.
• Provide 10% of the gross proceeds to the city’s renovation fund through the Adopt a Facility program.
• Allow our adopted community youth sports leagues the opportunity to volunteer at the concession as a fundraiser for their league or club.

Ernie Sheldon loved seeing happy children and enjoyed sitting at the FAA booth giving out raffle tickets during the Folsom Easter Eggstravaganza. The prizes were baskets assembled by FAA volunteers with items Ernie shopped for. Ernie loved to shop!

Spring Eggstravaganza 2021

The Spring Eggstravaganza is a City of Folsom annual event.

The FAA partnered with the Friends of the Folsom Parkway for the city’s first Trail Days in developing the first mile of trail for Folsom. This led to the hiring of a full time trail planner. Today Folsom enjoys close to 50 miles of trails.

The Veterans Day Parade was started by one person, Wayne Spence who marched alone with an American flag. Ernie saw this and with the FAA and the city subsequent parades became bigger every year to where there were over 3,000 participants and 10,000 observers during the last parade.

Ernie and the FAA led the effort to expand Folsom’s Veterans Day Parade, making it one of the largest in the region. He also spearheaded the planning, construction, and design of the city’s Veterans Memorial in City Lions Park, behind the library.

The Folsom Teen Council is made up of high school students living in Folsom. These students volunteer and provide leadership services at a variety of City of Folsom special events and assist students in the STARS program at Theodore Judah.

The Teen Council has been instrumental in facility designs for the development of the Cummings Family Skate and Bike Park and the Steve Miklos Aquatic Center.

In collaboration with the city, the FAA helps manage the Folsom Teen Council operation account.

Folsom Runway supports children with a variety of special needs so that they can participate in the same camps and activities through the City of Folsom’s Parks & Rec program that their non-disabled peers do. The FAA partnered with the City of Folsom for this annual fashion show – a fundraiser for recreational inclusionary programs.

2021 – Michael Raffetto, Will Kempton, Lynn LePage

The FAA was involved with monetary donations for Christmas baskets put together by various individuals and groups due to Ernie Sheldon’s urging. Karen Oosterman and Powerhouse Ministries organizes the program each year. Bags and baskets are delivered to assisted-living facilities, mobile home parks, veterans groups and seniors who live in their own homes.

“The purpose of the program is simple: put a bag together containing life’s most needed items, items we take for granted every day. Ernie didn’t care if you lived on top of the hill, at the bottom of the hill or around the hill. He loved the Folsom community and he loved the senior center and contributed to it often.” -Karen Oosterman

In 2020, over 650 bags and baskets were delivered to Folsom’s low income, disabled and home-bound seniors, and veterans. Matt Long from the Folsom Telegraph published an article about the program: Holiday gift bags bring smiles to Folsom seniors.

Groups involved: Folsom, Vista del Lago, and Oak Ridge high schools, FAA, Folsom Rotary Club, local residents, to name a few.

The FAA also hosted an annual holiday party, almost always at Ernie’s house, where Ernie could display his extensive Christmas decorations. Ernie loved Christmas! He was a giver from buying presents for FAA board members to contributing to various organizations.

Ernies Sheldon’s desire “to help” was to become a member of the FAA. In 1987, he became Executive Director of the association. Ernie served as the director for over 30 years.

The FAA was established in 1979 with three goals: create a united voice when lobbying, building facilities, and encourage recreation through scholarships for those unable to afford to participate. Ernie took this to heart. He encouraged youth groups to work together and speak in unison, one issue at a time. Over time, each youth group would benefit in one way or another.

Ernie Sheldon was recognized as early as 1996 when the city council named a youth sports complex after him and the Ernie Sheldon Park was named in his honor. Ernie’s accomplishments were also recognized in 2002 when he was named California’s Outstanding Park Commissioner. In 2018, he was awarded Champion of the Community by the California Parks and Recreation Society. He also received the Presidential award from the California Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners.

The FAA put together a skilled nursing team from the community youth groups willing to volunteer their time to help Ernie – dietitian, occupational therapist, and physical therapist. The effort was to supplement home health care in a way to expedite his recovery and support his family and dedicated caregivers.

Folsom Youth Basketball provided shower improvements and installed handrails.

The FAA board members gathered to build a wheelchair ramp for access in and out of Ernie’s home. FAA funded the project.

Many former FAA members gathered and talked for hours about the beginning of the FAA and all the memories!

Ernie Sheldon, a retired Lt. Col from the US Air Force after 33 years of service, moved to Folsom in 1985. Shortly after his arrival to Folsom, Ernie dropped into the newly formed recreation division office and its first employee, Lynn LePage, asked a simple question, “Can I help?”

Appointed to the City’s Parks and Recreation Commission, Ernie served for two decades, including many years as the chairman.

Folsom had four parks when Ernie arrived all built by community organizations. Today, largely due to his vision, tireless leadership and persistent lobbying, Folsom has 48 parks and a large compliment of recreational facilities.

Former Library Commissioner, Ernie was one of the original directors of the Friends of the Folsom Library. He played a key role with the Folsom Library Commission in identifying City Lions Park as the site for the state of the art Public Library which included a Library Courtyard. He also spearheaded planning, design and construction of the Veterans Memorial behind the library with a statue honoring the soldier the previous field was named after and a flag court that honors all branches of military. He was able to preserve the decommissioned fire station to be transformed into its current use as a senior and arts center.

The City of Folsom would not have received its numerous park and facility awards if it was not for the tireless efforts of Ernie Sheldon.

2002 California’s Outstanding Park Commissioner.

2018 California Park & Recreation Society honored Ernie with the Award of Excellence: Champion of the Community.

California Association of Park & Recreation Commissioners and Board Members presented Sheldon with the President’s Award, a seldom-presented award bestowed upon an individual who demonstrates exceptional service and leadership in parks and recreation programs and activities.

Dan Palhegyi – March 12, 2020 – 11/12B Championship Win Dedicate to Ryan Senior

I wanted to share the recent story. This exemplifies the core of the FYBA and how recreational youth sports in Folsom should be. This team went into a final game and was visibly outmatched in talent. As the game progressed it was clear that their attitude and the coaches leadership would change the game and it did. Our “hats off” to Coach Donato for his time volunteering in our league.

—– Forwarded Message —–From: Donato, Anthony <anthony.donato@intel.com>Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2020, 09:26:20 AM PDT

Hi Fellow Coaches and FYBA Officials! Hope everyone had a fun season. My Kings ended up winning the 11/12B Championship Game this past Monday against the Tropics, but I wanted to let everyone know that the win was Dedicated to Ryan Senior.

My son, Jonathan, started playing FYBA during 1st grade; I was the assistant coach for two years. I became the head coach of Jonathan and the Kings in 3rd Grade. That was when Ryan became my assistant coach with both Jonathan and his son, Mason Senior, playing on the same team. It remained this way for 7 years with Ryan, my assistant, and Mason and Jonathan playing together. Those of you with sons ending their FYBA careers this year and that have coached a long time, I’m sure recognize him.

Ryan tragically died in a car accident on Christmas Eve: kcra.com/article/man-dies-in-christmas-eve-crash-in-rancho-cordova/30328307. I still can’t fathom what happened and I’m still at a loss for words. I’m just honored to have gotten to spend 7 years with Ryan and Mason and this victory is for them. Ryan had coached 7 kids that participated in the Finals this year: Jonathan Donato, William Chen, Wayson Lee, Kyle Nguyen, and Fyez Dean from the Kings and Payton Busbee and Wyatt Wreford from the Tropics.

10 Points of Interest – a document created in 2018 for the grand opening of the Econome Family Park to show some of the history of Folsom.

• Nisenan Indians
• 1851 Amos P. Catlin / Natoma Company
• 1890 Natoma Grove
• 1938 Lions Club / City Lions Park and Zoo
• 1953 Rotary Club / Lew Howard Park
• 1978 Chamber of Commerce / Folsom Athletic Association / Lembi Community Park
• 1979 Folsom Athletic Association / Community Youth Sports Leagues
• Folsom Parks
• 1991 Friends of Folsom Parkways / Folsom Bike Trails
• Folsom Facilities
• Folsom Open Space

Parks & Recreation is asking the FAA to redo the score board on Lembi baseball field C, which is named after – Robert “Bobby” Keefe.

Wikipedia: Robert Francis Keefe, known as Bobby Keefe in baseball, was born near Folsom, California in June 1882. He graduated from Santa Clara College in 1902, where he was the star baseball pitcher. He then pitched for the Sacramento Senators in 1903, the first year of the Pacific Coast League. The following year, the Solon franchise moved to Tacoma, Washington, where he had two outstanding years with the Tacoma Tigers before going to the New York Highlanders (later Yankees). After a period with the Yankees, he was released to the Montreal farm club of the Yankees. He later pitched for the Cincinnati Reds. While there, he met Margaret Carroll, who later became his wife.

His last appearance in baseball was in 1921 with the San Francisco Seals.

After his baseball career, he returned to the Folsom area where he worked for the Natomas Gold Dredging Company. He later became the County Assessor for East Sacramento County. For several years, he was in charge of the water system for the Folsom area. In his last years before retirement, he was also Postmaster of Folsom. He retired to the Land Park area of Sacramento.

He and his wife raised four children, Helen Roberta Keefe, Carol B. Keefe, Robert Gael Keefe, and John Franklin Keefe. Robert “Bobby” Keefe in 1964.

Good stewards are team players, and they’re quick to give others credit. They work together to reach goals. Good stewards believe in communication and being transparent. They gladly seek advice and feedback from their stakeholders. Good stewards always acknowledge and thank the master they serve.

A story to warm your heart … Rich Francis’ daughters were kind enough to help deliver a few gifts for the holiday program. Paige and Cassidy met a senior in her mid-70’s, recently divorced, and living in a trailer with no family. Not only did they deliver the gift, but they helped her with an outside chore using a ladder and went back that evening to share a pizza (paying with their own funds). They also met another senior who asked if they had a bag to deliver to someone who could use some holiday cheer. Karen provided that bag and the girls delivered it! I know Rich was proud to have raised some great kids who took the time to make a friend, bring a smile, and learn what the holidays (and this project) are all about.

Rich Francis bought a home in Folsom that was originally owned by Ken Grossfeld. Ken was a former Past Folsom American Little League President, Folsom Park Commissioner and Chairman with a passion for the little league program. Ken and his wife Jennifer believed so strongly in the value of athletics that they established a scholarship fund in Ken’s honor. This was discovered through chit-chat during the closing escrow process.