Students & Parks Department Staff Recognised

March 1, 2014

At an event held recently at the Visitors Center in the Botanical Gardens, students from CedarBridge 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.

Parks

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.

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Category: All, Environment, News

Comments (10)

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  1. Crazy says:

    The Guy in cedar bridge uniform to the far left, looks like the guy from the movie “The Purge”.

  2. Coffee says:

    Pass the knowledge on and don’t let the nefarious plans of the OBA to privatize your jobs stop you from educating the youth ! Good job guys .

    • Ganja mon says:

      So how do you think govt should reduce the CS? Just keep paying these guys to work easy and hope money falls from the sky one day?

  3. Mazumbo says:

    Good gesture before it goes outsourced or privatized.

  4. norf says:

    Should have sent out the students with a private landscape company so they learn what real work is. Parks Dept. staff could never keep up with private landscapers. Take a look at the state of Botanical Gardens..

    • Hard Worker says:

      You come work of with me for a week and see if you’ll last ( norf ) I’ll out work any private landscape company any day

      • ganja mon says:

        Doubt it..You parks guys work 8 – 2pm, dont even show up if it looks like it will rain. Fridays knock off at 12pm to bbq and party at the Park dept?

        These private companies do more then half of you parks guys before 11am. Are you serious?

  5. Truth be told says:

    Don’t pay NORF any attention. They will put a company into a trust and take away public jobs.

    They did it as UBP and we all know they are now OBAers.

  6. I heart 441 says:

    I pity those that complain everyday on these blogs. Stop turning something positive into another negative response on these blogs.

    Thank you, have a Bermudiful Day!