April 24 is the ninth annual Parks Appreciation Day in Pierce County, and community members countywide will be getting together to give back to their beloved parks.
Parks Appreciation Day is the conglomeration of multiple holidays that occur in April including Earth Day, Arbor Day and National Parks Week. Metro Parks Tacoma is one of the largest parks districts on the west side of the state and thus takes a natural leadership role in the annual event in terms of planning with local city governments.
“It’s a great thing to be out with the community,” Julie Parascondola, parks manager for Metro Parks Tacoma, said. “It’s synergy, everyone is working together for parks. Youth learn to make an investment in parks, and everyone is getting outdoors and being active. It’s an opportunity to give back and say thank you.”
Volunteers will work on getting the parks ready for spring and summer by spreading bark, working on natural area restoration and management, removing invasive species, litter pickup, planting and more, but specific projects vary by site. Point Defiance Park, for example, will have volunteers removing holly, ivy and blackberry, cleaning play structures near Never Never Land and cleaning and raking all over the park. Those visiting Ruston Way will primarily be picking up litter, spreading gravel and weeding along the waterfront.
In 2009, there were an estimated 1,175 volunteers countywide that together donated 3,525 hours of their time to local parks. A value of their efforts was estimated at $49,696. Together, more than 111 bags of litter were collected, 3,224 plants and 119 trees planted, 263 yards of mulch and chips spread and 131 yards of debris collected.
“For me, it’s just a really gratifying event. But citizens in Tacoma, when they come out, it’s an amazing experience to see everyone give back,” Parascondola said. “It helps us who try to manage the parks system at the best of our abilities and it shows appreciation from the community. Also it’s fun - we get to know each other, and it really builds community. Lots of park sites have barbecues after and people really use the parks.”
Depending upon where participants plan to help, it is advised that volunteers check the Parks Appreciation Day website for tips on tools to bring and to register a group larger than 10.
“We have many small hand tools, but not for the volume of people that come out each year. Bring garden rakes, shovels, etc. See what you’ll be doing for the day and if you bring your own tools, label them. We encourage people to bring their own gloves and would love it if people carpooled to their sites,” Parascondola affirmed.
In addition, participants should dress in warm or weather-appropriate clothing and should bring their enthusiasm to this community-building event.
By participating in Parks Appreciation Day, volunteers help have an immediate effect on neighborhood parks and green spaces. Not only does it help individuals become more aware of their environment but also gets individuals out and meeting neighbors, getting active, increasing children’s awareness in their health and nature and brings about a greater appreciation for the vast array of parks spread out all over Tacoma.
Parks Appreciation Day takes place April 24 from 9 a.m. to noon at 12 parks in Tacoma and many more throughout Pierce County. For more information about specific park projects, lists and addresses of the parks that are participating, visit www.ParksAppreciationDay.net.
