Seattle Parks and Recreation recently announced the winners of the third annual Denny Awards for volunteer service. This year's winners are Ruth Bell, who lives in Rainier Beach, John Barber of the Leschi neighborhood, George Hildreth of Northeast Seattle, Seattle Works and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.
Bell showed great leadership and involvement in numerous projects in Southeast Seattle, especially the wetland restoration at Pritchard Beach, the Stroll Garden at Kubota Garden, and most recently, the new play area at Beer Sheva Park. Each of these projects involved extensive fundraising and community organizing. For the Beer Sheva project, she and the Friends of Beer Sheva Park formed a close relationship with the Seattle Beer Sheva Sister City organization.
Other south-end Denny Award nominees, all of whom made significant volunteer contributions to Seattle Parks and Recreation parks or programs, included: Deadhorse Canyon volunteers Darrell Dobson and Jude Siefkert, the Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center Advisory Council for the capital campaign for a new facility and the Washington Native Plant Society for its care and education about importance of native vegetation.
Parks Superintendent Ken Bounds presented the awards at a ceremony and reception on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
"We couldn't do what we do at Seattle Parks and Recreation without the extraordinary support of volunteers," said Bounds. "These awards are a small token of our great appreciation and respect for the people and organizations who help us fulfill our mission to take care of the environment and provide safe and welcoming recreation opportunities."
The Denny Awards recognize the contributions of volunteers to Seattle Parks and Recreation parks and programs. In 2004, hundreds of volunteers worked more than 300,000 hours for parks and recreation programs throughout the city, donating the equivalent of $3.8 million in labor. The Denny Awards are named after David and Louisa Denny, who donated land for the first Seattle park in 1884 (Denny Park).[[In-content Ad]]
