Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette

Nancy Lewis started working for the city of Colorado Springs in 1966 as a part-time recreation worker making $1.29 an hour.

In 1994, Lewis retired as parks director.

On Tuesday, the City Council will honor Lewis with a resolution of appreciation for her “longstanding commitment to parks and open space in Colorado Springs.”

Lewis has remained active in the community, including as chairwoman of the Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

She has been the president and CEO of the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center since it opened in 1995. She is also the board president of the Garden of the Gods Foundation.

“In 1997, the City of Colorado Springs named a beautiful neighborhood park in Nancy’s honor, near Templeton Gad Road and East Fillmore Street,” the resolution states.

Lewis, along with co-author Deborah Odell, wrote “The Parks of Colorado Springs — Building Community, Preserving a Legacy.” The book is a history of the city’s park system, according to the resolution.

“This book will be a reminder of the 140 years of work that has created one of the nation’s best municipal park systems, largely through Nancy Lewis’ dedication, determination and hard work,” the resolution states.

In April, Lewis was named recipient of the 2011 Athena Award.

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