public service award Sweden Supervisor Nat O. Lester, III has received a 2005 Public Service Award from the New York State Parks and Recreation Society. Lester was nominated for the award on the basis of his commitment to expanding and improving recreational opportunities for the local community. His achievements include the transfer of 156-acres of mostly undeveloped park land on Redman Road from the state to the town. Sweden has since developed soccer fields, a skate park, playground, nature trail, concession stand and restroom facility at the park. He negotiated the donation of a $3 million facility to the town for use as a Community Center and established a full-time, year-round recreation program. To help defray the initial start up costs, he obtained two sizeable monetary donations from local benefactors. Over the past three years, Lester has been successful in securing several grants to improve both the Town Park and the Community Center. Following his father's death in May 2003, the Lester family named the Town of Sweden as the recipient of memorials. The memorials funded the installation of outdoor basketball courts at the Community Center and new backboards for the indoor courts. The monies continue to provide funding for basketball program supplies. Currently Lester is working to secure donations to install new baseball fields at the Town Park. He is also involved in the establishment of the new Sweden Community Foundation. He will serve as one of the initial directors of the foundation which has a goal of promoting recreational opportunities for local residents. Sweden/Clarkson Recreation Director Dave Scott presented Lester with the Public Service Award at a ceremony on April 26. |
