The Fairfax County Park Foundation announced the 2011 recipients of the Eakin Philanthropy Awards honoring Aronson LLC Partner Craig Stevens and his wife, Belinda, for their generous financial support of numerous Park Foundation projects and initiatives including open space land preservation, trail construction, Lee District Park improvement and completion of the fully-accessible Liberty Swing at Clemyjontri Park. Over the past six years, Craig Stevens has also served in a leadership role on the Park Foundation Board. Also selected for this honor was Cox Communications, a generous benefactor for many years during which they supported summer camps, the development of Clemyjontri Park and the Park Authority’s highly popular Summer Entertainment Series.
The Eakin Philanthropy Award, established in 2009 is named in honor of the Eakin family, donors of the first parcels of parkland to the Park Authority over 50 years ago. This first contribution of land set the stage not only for additional parkland acquisitions totaling nearly 23,000 acres in Fairfax County, but a tradition of donor support for those many park needs beyond the reach of taxpayer dollars or revenues. The award recognizes significant financial or in-kind contributions, projects with broad, long-term benefits to the community and visionary contributions which create new programs and facilities and provide a new approach to addressing community needs.
The Stevens have consistently supported the Park Foundation over the years. Through personal service and contributions they have helped create a portfolio of meaningful projects. Trail building has increased the Park Authority’s ability to offer recreational opportunities as well as scenic, off-road transportation routes; Lee District Park improvements included the creation of a fully accessible treehouse and the Liberty Swing project allows those in wheelchairs to have the chance to experience the pleasure of swinging.
Cox Communications has been a long-term supporter of parks with more than a decade of funding for the Summer Entertainment Series. They have contributed to the success of Parks and Communities Together (PACT) summer day camp program for youngsters living in homeless shelters as well as supporting the skate park construction and programming and the expansion of Clemyjontri Park in McLean, a fully-accessible, two acre playground. Cox Communications is a dependable and generous supporter of parks.
The Eakin Award will be presented during the Park Authority’s annual Elly Doyle Park Service Awards program this November. For more information contact the Park Foundation at 703-324-8581 or visit them online at http://www.fairfaxparkfoundation.org.