Gaithersburg Named National Park Champion Finalist

From City of Gaithersburg:

At its recent conference in St. Louis, Mo. in early October, the National Recreation and Park Association named Gaithersburg as one of five finalists in its Park Champion program.

The national Park Champion program is an advocacy initiative to raise awareness for parks and recreation programs by encouraging stakeholders to involve members of congress in local events and activities.

Gaithersburg was recognized for its efforts to involve federal, state and local officials in a Naturalization Ceremony that was held during the Celebrate! Gaithersburg in Olde Towne Festival on June 12, 2016. Coordinated by the Gaithersburg Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture, with the support of many other departments in the City, the festival provides an opportunity for an entire community to come together to celebrate summer in the City’s historic business center with food, entertainment, crafts, children’s activities, and more.

A Naturalization Ceremony hosted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services served as the kick-off event for the festival. Forty eight people representing 29 countries from around the globe swore their allegiance to the United States, thus becoming naturalized citizens. Attending the event at the invitation of City staff were Congressman John Delaney and representatives for Senator Ben Cardin and Representative Chris Van Hollen. Members of the Maryland General Assembly and the Montgomery County Council joined the Gaithersburg Mayor and members of the City Council to recognize the community’s newest citizens.

“We are fortunate that Gaithersburg is located in the backyard of Capitol Hill,” said Gaithersburg Parks, Recreation and Culture Director Michele Potter. “Our legislators live and work in the area, and that gives us a unique opportunity to make them aware of the myriad of events and amenities that we offer our residents. Advocating for policies and legislation that support our mission is easier when our legislators can see firsthand what we’re doing in the community.”

For more about the City’s parks and recreation programs, visit the city website. For more on the NRPA Park Champion program please visit the NRPA website.

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