Friends of Beatty Park thank volunteers at Park and Rec board meeting
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STEUBENVILLE -- Flora VerStraten-Merrin, chair and founder of the volunteer group Friends of Beatty Park, presented volunteer Anthony Vitt with a certificate of excellence during the March 13Steubenville City Parks and Recreation meeting.
Friends of Beatty Park is a nonprofit group that has been working to revitalize the park for the past five years.
During the last three years, the Eastern Ohio Corrections Center has brought a group from its facility to help with various projects.
VerStraten-Merrin explained these crews work hard, love getting out in nature, are very respectful and willing to give back to their community.
"I can see their demeanor change when they spend some time not only working in the park, but also seeing and learning about its history," VerStraten-Merrin said. "We have cookouts every few months with Anthony and the crew as a small way to say 'thank you' to them for all the hard work they do."
Many EOCC residents have the various skills, experience and knowledge needed to assist the Friends of Beatty Park with landscaping, carpentry, plumbing, welding and a number of other skills.
"Many of them enjoy just being outdoors and getting some physical energy burned off," she commented. "It has been a win-win for our group and for them. We are going on our third year of working with Anthony and his crew. We felt it was time to recognize him and the guys for all of the work they've put into bringing the park back to life."
"Our group is made up of mostly seniors and we are now going on five years of projects and hard work, so we really needed some help," she continued. "We have felt God's hand in our work at the park. When we have needed funding, or volunteers with muscle, or a particular skill set, it always seems to work out."
The certificate presented to Vitt read, "The Friends of Beatty Park express our sincere appreciation to Anthony Vitt and Work Crews from the Eastern Ohio Correction Center Community Service Program. In recognition of your commitment, dedication and performance of service in 2022 and 2023."