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Elizabeth, N.J., May 24, 2005-- Executive Director of Groundwork Elizabeth, Jonathan Phillips, attended the Annual Groundwork UK Executive Director’s National Forum in Liverpool, England. This conference, which is held annually in alternating UK cities, concentrates on addressing the administrative challenges of an organization charged with improving people’s lives by improving the environment in which they live.
Phillips came to the conference by invitation of the Groundwork UK movement, accompanied by Steven Silver, the Executive Director of Groundwork El Paso. During the second day of the conference, the official plate of the City of Elizabeth, which is signed by Mayor Chris Bollwage, was presented to Tony Hawkhead, the Executive Director of Groundwork UK, as a representation of the strong bonds forged between the Groundwork USA and Groundwork UK organizations.
The Groundwork movement began in 1981 in the Merseyside District of Northern England, as the staff of a newly formed group positioned itself with government and private industry and environmentally restored an abandoned dumpsite in the St. Helens District of Liverpool. Today this site is a park with walking paths, thriving plants, and a variety of animals. Extremely successful in its mission, the UK organization has now grown from one Groundwork Trust to 50. In 1996 the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program in the U.S. funded pilot Groundwork Programs in three New England Cities: Providence R.I., Lawrence, MA., and Bridgeport, Conn. In 2002, the City of Elizabeth applied to be the host City of a Groundwork Trust, and was accepted becoming the only Groundwork city in the State.
Mayor Chris Bollwage has been an ardent supporter of the Elizabeth Environmental non-profit. “In our efforts to improve the business, residential, and environmental climate of our City, Groundwork’s mission towards sustained regeneration works hand in hand with our citywide plan”, said the Mayor. “We are happy to recognize Groundwork UK as the inspiration for this vibrant organization”.
Groundwork Elizabeth has improved traffic islands, participated in clean ups such as the recent Elizabeth Cleanup Day on April 26 th, and is planning to hold a River Awareness Day in mid June at Matanno Park. There are other ambitious plans to build pocket parks, develop an Elizabeth River Trail, and to plant more than 1,000 trees under the Cool Cities Initiative. Groundwork also hosts an Annual Tour de Elizabeth each May, where cyclists can tour the City’s landmark sites on bicycle.
For more information on Groundwork Elizabeth, please visit the organization’s website at www.groundworkelizabeth.com, or contact Jonathan Phillips at 908-289-0262.