The Observer Newspapers | Letter:Park Friends Thankful for Volunteers

April 3, 2008

Park Friends Thankful for Volunteers

The 22nd Annual Runnymede Park Spring Clean-up was a terrific success last weekend. Almost 200 active citizens came together on a beautiful Saturday morning to make Runnymede Park and the Sugarland Run a more natural place.

We had virtually every local Girl Scout, Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Brownie Troop represented again this year. Herndon High School Spanish teacher Gary Gepford led a large contingent of students in snatching up trash. More than 30 members of the Herndon Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints cleared the vernal ponds that help our reptiles, birds, and pollinators thrive in this small park.

Town Council members Harlon Reece, Connie Hutchinson, Bill Tirrell, and Charlie Waddell joined with Del. Tom Rust to help make Runnymede Park the pride of Herndon. Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Jay Donahue and Herndon Planning Commissioner Paul LeReche scoured the banks of the stream for trash blown from open trash containers and local shopping centers. Town Council candidates Richard Downer, Arthur Nachman, and Sheila Olem showed us the best of volunteerism for a worthwhile cause.

We are proud to announce that well over 3,000 pounds of trash ranging from glass, plastics, paper, an old bicycle, old clothes, and carpet—enough to fill a 40-foot containerÑwere removed from the stream and park. We are grateful for the efforts of town forester John Dudzinsky and town naturalist Susan Lilly for helping us to coordinate this great event and arrange for many of the necessary supplies and equipment. Cindy Roeder, director of Parks and Recreation, and town attorney Richard Kaufman supported the cleaning effort again this year as they have for many years.

The Friends of Runnymede Park are delighted that so many people are willing to share their efforts to protect our water supply and our remaining native habitats. We invite you to come to Runnymede Park and see for yourself what 200 dedicated people can do for a natural environment.

Dave Swan

President

Friends of Runnymede Park