Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. was recognized by Tucson Clean & Beautiful for adopting and dedicating time toward cleaning up the David G. Herrera and Ramon Quiroz Park at the Oury Center during a ceremony on Saturday.
Connie Lira, community service chair for Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc., said the sorority started volunteering at the park in 2011, but this year, they decided to adopt the park officially.
“Our plan right now is to keep cleaning the park but then also to become involved with the Oury Center,” Lira said. “They do programs for the elderly and also for youths, so they don’t get on the wrong track.”
Jean Hickman, Adopt-a-Park coordinator for Tucson Clean & Beautiful, presented Lira and Sigma Lambda Gamma a certificate of recognition signed by representatives from Tucson Clean & Beautiful and Tucson Parks and Recreation.
Regina Romero, Ward 1 councilmember, thanked the sorority members for their willingness to give back to the community.
“I would encourage you to keep an eye on what happens in your city,” Romero said, “because it’s important to you, and your quality of life, and how you decide to live, work, play and love in the city of Tucson. On behalf of Ward 1, my staff and the city of Tucson, I thank you for your interest in improving your community and giving us so many hours of your time. Congratulations, and we hope to keep on seeing you engaged in this park.”
Peg Weber, district administrator of the west district for Tucson Parks and Recreation, reflected on the park’s history.
“It’s a very old park, one of the very oldest,” Weber said. “It was used as the friendly Apache’s camp at one time, and it was cattle ground at other time. The Oury building behind you was built in 1919 and was turned over to the city in 1924.”
Weber thanked Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority members on behalf of the city of Tucson Parks and Recreation department for the work they have done.
Hickman said she oversees 1,035 sites in Tucson with Tucson Clean & Beautiful. Hickman also said she and Tucson Clean & Beautiful work with about 20 other groups from the UA, including other sororities and fraternities as well as one-time projects with the Eller College of Management. She said UA students learn about Tucson Clean & Beautiful through word of mouth and have contacted her to become involved.
“It’s not necessarily about just having the sign up there,” Hickman said. “It’s about making a difference in Tucson and saying, ‘I own this section, and I made a difference, and look at what good everybody can do if we all work together,’ and that’s exactly what we want to see.”
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