Students work & learn alongside Parks Department

On Thursday at the Visitors Center in the Botanical Gardens, students from Cedar Bridge Academy and Opportunity Workshop were recognized for their achievements in working alongside employees of the Department of Parks. The students assisted the Arboretum staff with landscape maintenance and special projects at the Arboretum, the Deputy Governor’s residence at Montpelier, as well as the Premiers’ residence Clifton.

In addition the staff at the Arboretum trained the students in the use of small landscape tools such as trimmers and chain saws, and the students were also educated in identifying grasses, and hedging plants.

Staff from the Department were recognized for their achievements regarding their work with the students and also for assisting corporate entities with their fundraising events, such as Tokio Millennium Re and the Charis Foundation, that utilized the Arboretum throughout the year for special events.

Among the guests were Senator Lynne Woolridge, Director of Parks Lisa Dawn Johnston, BIU President Chris Furbert and the Premier’s wife Mrs. Antoinette Cannonier.

Tokio Millennium Re representative Zoe Kempe was also present at the ceremony and thanked Parks staff for their assistance in readying the grounds of the Arboretum for the Tokio Youth Mountain Bike Series. The free series is designed to introduce primary school aged children to cycling as a way to help promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles. The emphasis of the event is on having a good time rather than being competitive and to help foster a love for cycling in children.

Ms Kempe said: “The event is really important for our community and we couldn’t do it without the help of the Parks Department. So on behalf of Tokio I would like to say a big thank you to Mr. Roger Parris and his team. The grounds are always impeccable.”

Race Director from the Charis Foundation Mrs. Melody Parris thanked the Arboretum crew for assisting with their annual fundraiser race which, last year, raised  money for Age Concern, the Centre Against Abuse and the Family Centre.

“Without Mr. Roger Parris (Supervisory Foreman for the Arboretum) and his crew we would not have been as successful,” said Mrs. Parris. “I would like to formally thank the Arboretum crew for their help.”

Mrs. Cannonier thanked Parks staff for maintaining the grounds at Clifton and for “constantly surprising her” with flowers, a rose garden and fresh vegetables from the garden.