BOARD MATTER
November 20, 2006

Recognition of Fredrick M. “Mr. Baseball” Crabtree

Mr. Chairman:

As you know, the Fox Mill District Park in the Hunter Mill District was officially renamed the “Fred Crabtree Park” at a ceremony on October 28, 2006. It is appropriate to further honor Fred for the lifetime of service and commitment to community he has demonstrated that has had such a positive and lasting effect on the tapestry of the county.

Fred Crabtree served with distinction on the Park Authority Board from 1969 to 1992, including service as the chairman from 1977 to 1978. During this time, he was instrumental in acquiring, expanding and developing numerous parks and facilities, including Fox Mill District Park, Peterson Lane Park, Nottoway Park, Frying Pan Park, Clarks Crossing Park, Floris School Site, Baron Cameron Park, Lahey Lost Valley Park, Lake Fairfax Park and many others across the county.

He worked to preserve and protect parkland with historical and cultural significance and continues to serve on the Founders, Benefactors, Supervisors and Friends of Frying Pan Park, Inc. as he has for the past 40 years.
In 1988, he created the Elly Doyle Park Service Award which recognizes a citizen’s or group’s contributions of service to the Park Authority and in 1993, he was honored by the National Association of County Park and recreation for his work as an outstanding public official.

As for being known as “Mr. Baseball”, that is how he is affectionately regarded for his lifelong love of baseball and for his role as a founding father of boys and girls Little League in Vienna, Virginia. He is a believer in the effect that sports and parks can have on encouraging children to stay away from trouble and lead positive lives.

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, Supervisor Hudgins and I move that Mr. Crabtree be invited to come before the Board to receive a certificate of recognition for his lifetime of enduring contributions to Fairfax County at their meeting on December 4, 2006.