On Tuesday, April 22, Greenspring retirement community celebrated Earth Day. The event included several highlights including a display of fuel efficient vehicles, an assortment of exotic animals from Reptiles Alive!, a Shred-It vehicle, and informational booths and representatives from Green Spring Gardens, Fairfax County Park Authority, the Sierra Club, Greenspring’s own Tillagers gardening group, and many others.
During the event, the Greenspring Environmentalists resident group named a “Greenspring Environmentalist of the Year.” The award went to staff member, Diane Gatsis Havinga, who has been riding her bike to work at Greenspring for over ten years. Diane estimates that she rides about 8 miles roundtrip per day to and from the community.
A number of fuel efficient and energy efficient vehicles were also displayed including a Nissan Leaf, a few Toyota Prius models, and a Lexus CT hybrid. Additionally, resident Ed Dulaney displayed and permitted trial rides on his four-wheel pedal driven car called a Rhoades car. Dulaney drives the Rhoades car throughout Greenspring; it has no motor, no fuel requirement, produces no exhaust fumes or carbon emissions, and allows for good exercise.