Lori Harder moved to Curtis Park in 1988. She was attracted to her fixer-upper home by its “good bones” and the wide-open space of the railroad yard out her back window. While gradually remodeling, she used “Hello Kitty” sheets as curtains and hard manual labor to eventually create a charming home. The unique original koi pond in her backyard was rehabilitated to become the centerpiece of her outside area. Lately, the herons and hawks have found her koi, but have been controlled by a clever series of screens to protect the fish from becoming dinner food.
Lori worked for the City of Sacramento Parks and Recreation for 32 years. She also served on the SCNA Board in the late 1990s. As fate would have it, in 1999 when the City of Sacramento took ownership of Sierra 2, Lori became the lease manager for the city, thus caring for Sierra 2 in a new capacity.
In 2016, Lori rejoined a very different SCNA Board, with more diversity, younger board members and a more viable Sierra 2 facility. The building was in better repair and the budget more stable.
Lori chairs the annual Curtis Park Home & Garden Tour, along with Janice Calpo and Connie Noble. She, as well, sits on two SCNA Committees: the Development Committee (fundraising, membership and events) and the Senior Center Committee. Additionally, Lori is on the Board of GIFTs to Share, Inc. She thrives on collective planning, organizing and adult problem solving as she contributes to our community through volunteer commitments.
Lori appreciates that Curtis Park and Sierra 2 create a diverse community and contribute to the betterment of the City of Sacramento as a whole.