[Archived] Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission Announces Service Awards

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2004
PIO 176-04rfm

Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission Announces Service to the Community Awards

The City of Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission announced its 20th annual Service to the Community award winners on July 10. Bruce Dwyer, Thomas Call, Jr., Ellen Pickering and Peggy Ashbrook were recognized as outstanding citizens who have provided a valuable service to the community regarding Recreation, Park or Cultural needs. The awards were presented at the Alexandria Birthday Celebration.

Bruce Dwyer has been a strong advocate for bicycling in the City of Alexandria for over a decade. In 1992, he was the founding member of the Park and Recreation Commission’s Bicycle Study Committee. For more than five years in the 1990s, he helped develop a Bicycle Transportation and Multi-use Trail Master Plan for Alexandria, which was adopted by the City Council in 1998. He has also been an active volunteer in a variety of organizations, including the Washington Area Bicycle Association, the Virginia Bicycling Federation, and Bike/Walk Virginia

Since his retirement nearly 20 years ago, Thomas E. Call, Jr., has been committed to beautifying Alexandria. He petitioned the City to plant trees in the 100 block of Patrick St., planted gardens beneath the trees, and cares for them regularly at his own expense. He has also planted a more extensive garden beside the picket fence in front of the City’s parking lot between 118 and 124 N. Patrick St. In addition to maintaining all the plants and trees, he sweeps the sidewalks almost daily in all seasons to remove debris.

Ellen Pickering has championed the cause to maintain open space in Alexandria and preserve the waterfront. After serving one term as a member of the City Council, she has continued to monitor, secure, and protect available open space for the community. With regard to the waterfront, she has worked tirelessly to keep the community endowed to its history while at the same time allowing for growth.

Peggy Ashbrook, a member of the Del Ray Artisans, was recognized for her work on the City’s Adopt-a-Park Program. The Del Ray Artisans adopted Colasanto Park several years ago and have continued to enlist members as volunteers to keep the park presentable. Peggy Ashbrook has volunteered by picking up litter at the park for more than half of the 35-36 weeks each year that the program operates. The group, along with Peggy’s help, earned $900 through the Adopt-a-Park Program and used it for making landscape improvements to the grounds surrounding the Colasanto Center where the Artisans maintain a gallery.

Additional information may be found at www.ci.alexandria.va.us/recreation or by calling the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities at 703.838.4842.

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