milanp posted on January 02, 2010 16:03
Anticipation is building for the 2008 park bond project that will add lighting to all six fields at Pine Ridge Park. The project kicked off in September and is early in the design phase with completiion expected by fall 2010. (From: FCPA ParkTakes Spring 2010 - Vol 25/No. 2, pg 11)
The addition of lights to athletic fields allows use into the evening and expands field use capacity. One rectangle field will be converted to turf. Field lighting locations will include three diamond fields and three rectangular fields at Pine Ridge Park.
Milan's personal comments:
This has been a long process and I would like to give some credit to some of the folks who I have been working with over the years. In 2004, we started working with Fairfax County and Musco Lighting. John Stehl and Robin Marcoe headed up the effort. I remember John and Kathryn Hollingsworth being at Howery with the Musco rep until 1:30 am one night as they were trying to get the lights cleaned and adjusted to meet Little League standards. ANSLL was looking into funding a project to install lights on our own at Pine Ridge. I had many conversations with the lighting folks and at $110k/field that did get rolling, but never transpired into much as there was always rumblings that the County may install lights.
Leonard Wolfenstein kept ANSLL up to date on many of the public hearing meetings. Through 2005, John and Robin passed down their knowledge and Tim Corcoran and Cathy Krogel started to get involved. We attended several County public meetings and also met with the Pine Ridge Park Association (Soccer and Gardeners).
Believe me. there have been others who have put thier time in, but I wanted to point these folks out as they went above a volunteer effort.
Also, the ANSLL Facilites Director interfaces with the County all year round and from Ray Boehling (2002) to Rona Courtney (03-08) to Tom Santaniello (09) their work behind the scene is invaluable.
I post this as many of the folks who put a lot of effort into this project did it knowing their child would probably never see the rewards of their efforts. These are the types of things that make ANSLL a great organization to be associated with. ANSLL has been around since 1956. There have been many, many volunteers over the years that have put many hours and effort into ANSLL and they do it for the children of the league and the future generations.
This is just one example of many. I've been with ANSLL for about 10 years. Look for some future articles about the volunteers who have been associated with ANSLL for 20+ years.
Milan Peich
ANSLL Info Officer
If you would like to get involved please let me know, there are so many things that "can" be done but only so much time in a day, the more folks who put a little time in benefits everyone, not only today but for generations to come.