By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Through decades of discussions, planning and construction of Ashford County Park, Rick Adams was a constant catalyst for the project. And for that dedication, Pierce County this month named him a recipient of its Special Achievement Award for volunteerism. Adams and dozens of other volunteers in county government-supported programs were honored during the county's 37th annual awards and recognition ceremony March 14 at Clover Park Technical College. Joining Adams as one of the most heralded volunteers was Alan Hughes, who was named Volunteer of the Year. County agencies benefit from the unpaid service of 4,000 volunteers "of all ages and backgrounds,GÇ¥ said Scott Hall, superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department. "The dedication, compassion and caring of Rick and Alan GÇô along with all the volunteers GÇô is greatly appreciated and helps make Pierce County a great place to live.GÇ¥ Improving his community was Adams' goal for Ashford when,-á in the 1980s, he helped get the ball rolling for a park that could be a community gathering place and a source of outdoor recreation. Among other things, he wanted to give kids a place to ride bikes and scooters besides the shoulders of State Route 706.-á For the better part of the "80s and the 1990s, Adams and fellow supporters of the idea for a park banded together as Friends of the Upper Nisqually, an advocacy group that helped build momentum for the project. -áEventually, Champion Timber donated property in the mid-"90s to be the site of a park bordering SR-706. Then came a partnership in which the land was turned over to the Parks and Recreation Department, leading to the construction of a playground, restrooms, trails and parking that opened to the public in 2010. Scheduled to be dedicated this year at the 84-acre park are an outdoor amphitheatre and more restrooms and parking. He's served the county in other ways, including as a member of the Lodging Tax Advisory Board and Parks and Recreation's Citizens Advisory Board. But the effort he put into helping make Ashford County Park a reality is "his crowning achievement,GÇ¥ county officials said, adding that his "persistence and dedicated serviceGÇ¥ over about 30 years gave the Ashford and Elbe area a new recreation gem. Adams and Hughes, who was honored for logging about 60,000 hours of volunteer time with search-and-rescue and emergency support operations, "represent some of the best aspects of Pierce County, and I'm proud of these gentlemen and all those who spend their free time in service to others,GÇ¥ said County Councilman Dan Roach, who was co-master of ceremonies of the awards ceremony along with County Executive Pat McCarthy. "Whether you volunteer for a weekend or for a lifetime, it's a sacrifice that some people just aren't willing to make. That's what makesGÇ¥ Adams and Huges "so special,GÇ¥ said Councilman Jim McCune, whose district includes Ashford. "There's an old expression that -á"Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something,' and I think all of us in Pierce County should look to volunteers like Alan and Rick as examples of how we can make this world a better place.GÇ¥ The county salute this month to volunteerism included the Group Award going to Friends of the Upper Nisqually for its role in the park project, including help with finding potential funding sources and partners. The group's members continue to volunteer beautification and storm cleanups at the park. Other volunteers who were singled out by the county include Caleb Campbell, a 4-H representative on the Pierce County Fair Board, and Breann Hite, who volunteered 150 hours to help teach 4-H members how to care for cats and show them at the county fair and the Washington State Fair. And Laura Mendoza was honored for volunteering with the Graham Crackers 4-H Club to teach sewing to boys and girls help them develop confidence by encouraging them to enter competitions in the county and state fairs.
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