GEAC Holds First Annual Picnic

The Greenbelt East Advisory Coalition  (GEAC) held its first annual picnic on Sept. 19. GEAC's goal is to represent the Homeowner and Condominium Associations in Greenbelt East.

"GEAC wants to provide unified interest amongst communities within Greenbelt East," GEAC president Joyce Gladstone said.

Gladstone said the organization was started because of the development in Greenbelt in the early 1980s. The zoning done by the government was not conducive to what the people wanted. GEAC's initiative was to encourage more of a community atmosphere.

GEAC includes eight neighborhoods; Hunting Ridge, Greenbriar/ Glen Oaks, Windsor Green, Greenbrook Estates, Greenbrook Village, Greenwood Village, Greenspring I, Greenbelt II, and Greenbelt Lake Village.

"GEAC unifies and represents eight Home Owner Associations (HOA). Without GEAC then there would be ten different HOAs. It (GEAC) unites the community. About 3300 residents become one community," Greenbrook Village GEAC representative Roody Rosales said.

Some of the goals Rosales has with GEAC are to make a greener community and to utilize solar energy. He would like to extend the track around Schrom Hills Park to improve community fitness and combat obesity.

The GEAC has achieved a lot so far; advocated construction of traffic circles and lights on Hanover Parkway, constructed memorial benches in Schrom Hills Park, improved Greenbelt East playgrounds with the city of Greenbelt and advocated lien bill in 2009 and 2010.

"GEAC is a great service to Greenbelt East and the entire Greenbelt community. They help with improving playgrounds and parks," said Mayor Judith "J" Davis. "They (GEAC) make sure the old and the new of Greenbelt are unified. They want to increase awareness and reach out to all of Greenbelt. They're doing a marvelous job of keeping Greenbelt issues in the forefront."

The picnic also had representatives from different agencies and organizations within Greenbelt such as parking enforcement, animal services, the Greenbelt Police Department, Counseling and Family Services as well as coding.

The picnic also had raffles, games and prizes and plenty of hamburgers, hotdogs and chips for all in attendance.  Some of the contributors and sponsors of the picnic were Greenway Cleaners, State Farm Insurance Company, Denny's Restaurant, Chevy's Restaurant, Hope's Day Care, Three Brother's Restaurant, Modell's Sporting Goods Store, Royal Jade Restaurant, Safeway Shopping Center, and Greenway Liquors.

The picnic gave community residents an opportunity to learn more about the purpose and progress of its organization as well as unite those who live within the Greenbelt community.

GEAC President Joyce Gladstone said "this is our first GEAC picnic and we plan to have this every year and hopefully community participation gets better and better."