Armed with rakes, paintbrushes and other landscaping tools, more than 750 Sailors from aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) spent the day cleaning up Chollas Lake Park in Chula Vista, July 21.

According to park officials, the work completed by the Sailors conducting trail restoration, removing weeds and brush, and painting picnic tables saved the Parks and Recreation department three years of work and a substantial amount of erosion control.

Chollas Lake Park, a regional park that serves the entire city of San Diego, is a city landmark and regularly home to community events. The 16-acre lake, a former reservoir constructed in 1901, is currently the only youth fishing lake in San Diego County. The preservation of the 150 acres of the park requires regular maintenance the city desperately needs, said David Monroe, the city's deputy director of community parks.

"Having 800 people present doesn't seem like a whole lot for a crew of 3,000, but from the perspective of the Parks and Recreation personnel who have to maintain this place, this is about three years worth of work done in one day," said Capt. Fred Goldhammer, Theodore Roosevelt's executive officer. "It's a huge boost in maintenance progress for the park and gives us the ability to take a break from the day-to-day grind."
"Volunteering gives me the chance to serve my community, get outdoors and I don't have to think about work!" said Aviation Mechanic 2nd Class Dustin Roswell. "It lets me decompress."

Events such as this also highlight the commitment many Sailors have to both their country and community.
"It is such a wonderful way for military personnel to contribute and serve in a different capacity," said Lt. Cmdr. Reinel Castro, a Navy chaplain aboard Theodore Roosevelt. "Everybody is grateful for our time and our sacrifice to defend this country, but it's another thing to be involved in the community where people will see us in a different way. Personally, the reward for me is the ability to repay this city that has embraced us and our families, and that continues to do so every day."

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