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Park Authority Selects 2008 Elly Doyle Park Service Award Recipients The Fairfax County Park Authority Board announced the 2008 Elly Doyle Park Service Award recipients during their regular meeting on July 23, 2008. This award is the most prestigious recognition given by the Park Authority Board to individuals and organizations who contribute outstanding volunteer service to the Fairfax County Park Authority. The two recipients of the 2008 Elly Doyle Park Service Award are Dr. Carolyn Williams, an active natural resources volunteer for more than 13 years with a special interest in birding who contributes her services to Hidden Oaks Nature Center and Eakin Park, as well as county trails and the Audubon Society; and, Marianne Mooney, who for over the past decade has sown the seeds of stewardship at Huntley Meadows Park where she greets visitors, coordinates the Birdathon, writes environmentally sensitive articles, and has developed a teen birding program. Also recognized this year were Jim Crouch and Mimi Pollow, both members and active supporters of the Mount Vernon Dog Opportunity Group for their work in establishing and operating the Grist Mill Off Leash Dog Area in the Mount Vernon District. The Board also gave special recognition to Ken and Sally Duvall who demonstrated enormous generosity following the loss of their son Jason through the construction of a memorial gazebo at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria which allows visitors to enjoy a nearby pond and plantings in the park. This year marks a special moment for the youth recognition award with two outstanding groups chosen for this honor. The Park Authority chose the enormous accomplishments of both the Spring Hill RECenter Roots and Shoots Junior Volunteers, whose membership includes 57 members representing 19 area elementary, middle, and high schools that collaborate on local service projects, and the Hidden Pond Nature Center's 2008 Environthon Team which contributed throughout the year by providing visitor services, assisting with programs, and serving as role models, and then capped off a year of accomplishment with a fifth place overall finish at the statewide environthon competition. Environthon team members include Arthi Aravind, David Gawalt, Emily Banghart, Kathleen Bradshaw and Neal MacDonald. The Elly Doyle Park Service Award was established by the Fairfax County Park Authority in 1988 in recognition of Ellamae Doyle's years of outstanding service toward the preservation of parkland, natural resources, and recreational facilities as a member of the Park Authority Board. The 2008 Elly Doyle Park Service Award and Outstanding Volunteer Recognition Program will be held in November. For information contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662.