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POUND RIDGE, N.Y. Pound Ridge landscape architect Louis C. Fusco has been named the recipient of the Pound Ridge Partnerships second annual David and Lois Anderson Beautification Award.
The award will be presented to Fusco at Pound Ridge Pride Day on Sunday.
Fusco was chosen for his work redesigning the space on Westchester Avenue between Plum Plums Cheese Shop and Promo Queens to create a new courtyard and helping it through the towns approval process.
"It has been a pleasure working together with the Pound Ridge Partnership, he said. Their enthusiasm and dedication to improving the quality of our town is contagious and I'm thrilled to be a part of this project."
The Partnership cited Fuscos willingness to selflessly donate his skill and time to the project.
I remember the day we knocked on Louis door unannounced to ask for his help, said James Best, an architect and a Partnership board member. He came on board right away. He cared.
Best said its the Partnerships hope that the courtyard is the first step in a major collaborative effort between the group and more residents such as Fusco, as well as other facets of the community.
Together we can transform the business district to match the beauty of the rest of our town, he said.
The David and Lois Anderson Beautification Award was created by the Pound Ridge Partnership as a way to recognize an individual, group or business that has shown extraordinary commitment to improving the Pound Ridge business district.
The award was named in honor of David and Lois Anderson, longtime Pound Ridge residents, who for decades have generously given their time and resources in the business district, including providing the lions share of the labor and materials for the courtyard project, said Ali Boak, co-founder and board member of the Pound Ridge Partnership.
The Partnership will also present Honorable Mention Awards this year to the several others who have helped with the courtyard project, including Dennis Mele. The idea for the courtyard was conceived by Mele, chair of the Partnerships architectural committee, as part of an overall revitalization plan for the business district.
Making the courtyard a reality has been the result of strong collaboration between the members of the Pound Ridge Partnership, the Pound Ridge Business Association, property owners Sally Siano and Stephanie DeGraff, local business owners, Louis Fusco, David and Lois Anderson, Justin Brent, and a cadre of volunteers, said Susan Grissom, an artist, gallery director of the Lionheart Gallery, and co-chairwoman of the Partnerships beautification committee.
The entire town is invited to participate in Pound Ridge Pride Day 2012 on Sunday. Residents should meet in front of the Bank of America building at noon to join in the beautification efforts. There will also be a block party along Westchester Avenue from 2-5 p.m. that will feature a country barbecue, live music, and games for the kids. The award presentation and ribbon cutting ceremony for the courtyard is scheduled for 3 p.m.
To volunteer, or for more information, contact Terri Pike at 914-715-4107 or email terri.pike@attglobal.net, Susan Grissom at 914764-8689 or susan.grissom@gmail.com, or Melinda Velez at melindapvelez@hotmail.com.
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