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Community Corner

Putting Down Roots in the Community

Volunteers plant trees to restore Buddy Attick Park

Greenbelters and volunteers from neighboring areas showed some love Saturday by planting trees as part of the City of Greenbelt’s first year hosting a National Public Lands Day project.

After recent storms felled as many as 60 trees in the park, the city decided to get the community involved in its ongoing restoration and replanting projects, according to Lesley Riddle, the assistant director of Public Works.

Last month, Mayor Judith Davis signed a proclamation for Greenbelt to recognize National Public Lands Day annually. Volunteers also worked in Greenbelt Park on Saturday.

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“We decided this is a really perfect way to start a volunteer planting program, particularly on a day which is recognized nationally to do restoration and cleanup on the citizens’ land,” Riddle said.

For Mayor Davis, supporting National Public Lands Day through such restoration projects was just part of the city’s effort to preserve natural areas, even those that are not official parks.

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Davis also said that the need to promote preservation and create more natural areas was greater in Greenbelt East and West, where there are less green areas.

“Any time a new developer comes in, we want them to set aside tracts of land just left to be a park,” she said. They have also worked with the state to keep areas from overdevelopment, such as a forested wetland area near the Greenbelt Metro Station, Davis said.

However, Davis said that the city tries to strike a balance between development and preservation. “Obviously we need economic development, and in some areas redevelopment, but we also need to maintain the quality of life we are used to,” Davis said. “We’re not going to develop things for the sake of development.”

Community events are another way to promote these efforts, according to Riddle.

“These events give a sense of ownership for people, and we want them to feel that ‘this is our park’ — whether you live in Greenbelt or not, because there are people who don’t live here who use this park,” Riddle said.

Dave Schulz, a computer programmer living in Severn, frequents Buddy Attick Park. “I’ve been volunteering in Greenbelt for the last few years. I think it’s important to give back,” he said.

Many present were from the eighth grade class from St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Silver Spring.

“As part of our children’s educational process, we want them to know about service and the environment,” said Michelle Smith, a parent volunteer. “This gives them environmental exposure and also works on their spirituality and service — doing things for others doesn't have to be in your immediate community. It can be anywhere.”

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