JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The appeal of being able to avoid rush hour traffic in exchange for a quick daily commute is an understandable draw in a world where it seems there is never enough time in a day. With pricing being comparable to the housing market outside the gates and the security of living in the ultimate gated community, living on a military installation can be an attractive option for many families.
Liberty Park, the privatized housing contractor for Joint Base Andrews, has been providing their services on JBA since November, 2007. They are responsible for many of the tasks a traditional homeowner would otherwise perform.
"We provide lawn service that mows, picks up leaves during the fall season, trims shrubs annually, plants seasonal color at the neighborhood monuments and trims or removes trees as needed," said Mary Jette, Liberty Park community manager. "However, if the resident has a fenced back yard, they are responsible for mowing that area."
Liberty Park is not solely responsible for the keeping the base looking good. People all over JBA are doing their part to keep the base clean and beautiful.
"Our residents are responsible for keeping their planting beds weed and grass free," Jette said. "They are also responsible for keeping trash bins in their designated areas and bringing them off the curb by close of business on the day trash is picked up. Additionally, they are responsible for keeping toys, bicycles and other items of that nature stored in the garage or in their sheds."
Residents are encouraged to keep their property looking good. Liberty Park has multiple programs in place to help them in their efforts. Flowers, mulch and potting soil are passed out to kick-off the Spring planting season; there is also a competition each month for residents with green thumbs.
"During the growing season, we pick a 'Yard of the Month' in each neighborhood," Jette said. "The winners have the honor of a sign in their yard for a month and receive a $25 gift card. During the Fall and early Winter, we award residents for creative yard decorations."
"My four year old daughter and I both go out and pull weeds, water the flowers and generally keep the house in 'ship shape,' as the old phrase goes," said Senior Airman James Barrett, 11th Contracting Squadron contract specialist and base resident. "I may have never won 'Yard of the Month,' but I know that my daughter and I maintained that yard."
For more information on base housing responsibilities, call Liberty Park at 301-736-8082.