Arlington’s green team

ARLINGTON — After city Finance Director Jim Chase and Police Chief Nelson Beazley were hired and moved to town, the men soon noted that Arlington volunteers make life easier.

Beazley inherited a large group of volunteers who work the front desk at the police department. Chase became the pres

ident of the Arlington Kiwanis Club, a group with a long record of volunteer projects.

On Friday evening, the men joined other Kiwanians to add to that list of projects.

Kiwanis, the Lions and other service clubs here have signed contracts with the city of Arlington promising to adopt a city park and keep it maintained.

Chase and Beazley and their fellow club members spent a couple hours on that recent evening weeding, trimming, picking up litter and planting geraniums and impatiens in the city’s downtown gathering spot, Legion Park.

The Kiwanians who turned out to work included a handful who also happen to be city employees.

“Because we work for the city we know first-hand how difficult it is to make ends meet and how much it costs to pay to have the parks spruced up,” Chase said. “Why make the parks crew do this? We want our park presentable, especially before events that bring tourists to town, and this is a good way to give something back to the city.”

Chase and Beazely share a fondness for Arlington’s small-town atmosphere and its willing citizens who respond to requests for help.

“Maybe there’s something in the water here, because Arlington folks still have a strong belief in community,” Beazley said. “That’s not common other places, but here it’s a way of life.”

Arlington Kiwanis members plan to maintain “their” park on a regular basis, Chase said.

“When we build our new visitor’s center and restrooms here, we expect even more people to visit,” he said. “It’s going to be one of the most popular of the Centennial Trail heads and is sure to show off our city.”

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.