Stephen (Steve) Levenson has devoted 250 volunteer hours in 2024 alone, building on two decades of service with the Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) and five years as vice chair of Friends of Mason Neck State Park. His volunteer work significantly benefits residents of the Franconia District and the broader community through emergency preparedness and increased access to nature.
As a CERT volunteer for 20 years, Steve has helped prepare his community for disasters and emergencies. He trained in multiple CERT programs, including Fairfax County, Metro transit, and federal employee CERT classes. Notably, he has supported police canine training at major airports by safely transporting training materials, enhancing public safety.
In his role with Friends of Mason Neck State Park, Steve champions inclusivity and accessibility. In 2024, he secured funding to bring over 25 children from Second Story in Springfield and the Teens in Action program in Hybla Valley to the park. These trips offered first-time experiences hiking trails, learning about native plants, and canoeing on the Potomac River.
Steve’s commitment to accessibility is evident in projects improving park facilities for visitors with mobility challenges. He has overseen the installation of handrails and repacked trails to better accommodate wheelchairs. Advocating at the state level, Steve helped secure an all-terrain wheelchair for the park, expanded accessibility through special glasses and a mounted telescope for color-blind visitors, and successfully lobbied for city water infrastructure funding.
Steve’s ongoing efforts create a more welcoming and inclusive park experience for all. His dedication extends from organizing outreach programs for low-income residents to enhancing physical access and supporting educational opportunities. Through his leadership, Mason Neck State Park has become a vital resource that connects diverse communities with nature, fostering inclusion, education, and safety.
“Steve has consistently contributed to the betterment of his community. He has been a generous partner in helping young people from low-income areas of the Franconia District visit Mason Neck State Park and participate in opportunities like hiking and canoeing, often for the first time. His work with CERT, his advocacy for accessible park facilities, and his involvement in local land-use decisions will have a lasting and positive impact.”
– Supervisor Rodney L. Lusk