Mary Parks’ Memorial Star

Mary Parks’ life was marked by nearly three decades of television journalism in Riverside County & the Inland Empire on KNBC, KCBS, PBS, Charter Cable, The California Channel and SpectrumNews1. She was a field reporter, bureau chief and fierce advocate of the people in the Inland Empire who tuned in every night to watch the news. She covered major events including the Northridge earthquakes, OJ Simpson trial and LA riots. Parks is an 11 time Emmy Award Winner, Pegasus Award Winner, Associated Press Award Winner, Los Angeles Press Club Award Winner, and Golden Mike Award Winner for Journalism. Parks received many local, state and national honors and awards for philanthropy in Southern California, raising millions of dollars for organizations throughout her career as a sought-after event host and emcee. She gave much of her time and talents to a multitude of organizations including the American Heart Association, Arthritis Foundation, Feeding America, United Way of Inland Valley, Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center, Riverside Police Foundation, the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation, the Princess Spirit, National Association of Multicultural Education (NAME), and many others. Parks also received the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection Meritorious Service Award for her news reporting and documentary work covering California wildfires. California's American Legion has honored her with their Media Award for reporting on veterans issues. Parks was a State of California Appointee for advocacy of persons with developmental disabilities. Additionally, Mary Parks was the writer and producer of multiple documentaries and a television series, she wrote for West Coast Magazine and she served as the Founder and Executive Director of American Spirit 501(c)3. Parks even dedicated a portion of her career to civil service where she was the County of Riverside Senior Public Information Specialist. Mary lived for her work and loved Southern California, especially the Inland Empire which was her home since moving from Florida in 1991. Mary dreamed of retiring from news at age 60, talked of moving from Riverside to the peaceful oasis of the desert where she would focus her time solely on her philanthropic endeavors and community work. Sadly, Mary lost a tumultuous battle with brain cancer in November 2020 at age 58. She lives on in the hearts of the many people who knew her through her expansive news career and efforts as a caring community member who left a legacy of telling stories worth sharing.

To commemorate her life and work in the Inland Empire community, Mary is being honored with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in March 2023. Funds are being raised by the family to pay for the star's construction, installation and maintenance. All contributions to this effort are sincerely appreciated and will forever memorialize Mary in a place she loved so much. Sadly, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, efforts to celebrate the life of Mary were stifled. The installation of the star will serve as that celebration that couldn't happen due to state and local restrictions. The star itself is meaningful to her friends and family, who saw her as a source of love and light in their lives. Thank you for your support in helping memorialize what a remarkable woman, mother, and friend Mary was to so many.