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DATE: Wednesday, June 25, 2008
TIME: 1:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Forest Park, Sumner Avenue, Springfield (gate attendant will direct you)
CONTACT: Executive Director Patrick J. Sullivan 787-6440
In recognition of the city’s revived efforts to increase recycling, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, the Board of Park Commissioners and Executive Director Patrick Sullivan will recognize Margaret Brace with a plaque for her commitment to improve recycling efforts in Forest Park. Brace is the Forest Park Coordinator and a 20-year employee of the Parks Division. She oversees Forest Park, the city’s largest park comprised of 735 acres.
The new recycling program provides blue barrels throughout Forest Park, in the most heavily used areas, such as, tennis courts, ECOS building, the garage, ball fields, the Picknelly Field and the Greenhouse. More barrels will be provided throughout the summer. The blue barrels are clearly marked with instructions and pictures to assist the public in identifying what recyclables can be put in the containers.
Sarno explained that his Administration is committed to an aggressive campaign educating residents about the importance of recycling as the City considers options for a new Waste Reduction Action Plan (WRAP). Sarno said increased recycling is good not only for the environment but also for the City’s economic bottom line because the City is charged a fee for every ton of solid waste that is not recycled. The City receives money for turning in recyclables, which itself is recycled back into the waste removal costs.
"At about 10 percent, the recycling rate in Springfield is simply unacceptable. We can do much better but it is going to take the efforts of the entire City to realize a substantial increase in our overall level," said Sarno. "I am very pleased to present Margaret Brace with the first WRAP award in recognition of her important contribution and hope her work inspires others to follow suit."
Brace stated: "I read an interesting fact that if everyone in New York City gave up water bottles for one week and used a refillable container instead, they would save 24 million bottles from ending up in landfills. Here in Springfield, we can also protect our open spaces with everyone’s cooperation and willingness to recycle," said Brace.
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