Volunteer Day to help clean up the parks

4/4/2022 (Permalink)

PITCH IN FOR PARKS   APRIL 18-23 for Westchester County Parks.

Volunteers are the heart and spirit of the Westchester County parks system.  Every year even in the coldest months of winter, there are volunteer days to help clean up the park.   It is way more then picking up garbage and discarded water bottles.   

I volunteered at Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers (a Westchester County Park) for a glorious 15 degree sunny day with 6 inches of snow on the ground to help cut down invasive vines.   These invasive vines literally strangle trees.   I showed up at the park at 9 am (along with 25 other volunteers)  and was handed a lopper.  Had never held a lopper in my hand, but that didn't stop those in charge from telling me how it works and pointing me off in the right direction.  I was instructed to cut anything next to a tree that could potentially grow to choke it.   Off we went off the walking path into the wooded area of bushes and vine wrapped trees.  It was a morning of cutting vines, and removing the pieces into a large pile along the path.   A laborious but fun time with a feeling of accomplishment at the end.   A time for reflecting on what we were actually doing there.  Every little bit helps.     Helping to keep the trees alive and to prevent these invasive vines from overtaking a beautiful park.  

Pitch In for Parks
Every year, thousands of civic-minded individuals, organizations and groups volunteer their time and efforts to contribute making their county parks more enjoyable for the benefit of all Westchester residents.

Volunteers in the Parks
Volunteers in the Parks orient visitors to the parks, lead field trips through the nature preserves for local elementary schools, take photographs, help children learn to swim, lead tours of historic sites and help maintain our parks. Volunteers  come from all walks of life with a variety of skills, abilities, experiences and interests. But they all have one thing in common: a desire to be involved in protecting and preserving the park system for future generations. Westchester County volunteers enjoy a rewarding learning and work experience and have countless opportunities to develop their interests and utilize their skills.  April  18-23rd is Pitch in for the Parks in Westchester County.    Registration is required, sounds like a why, but it helps the people organizing know how much of everything to bring.   It is a great event and all ages are welcome.    Tell your friend and families.  Such a short amount of time can make a huge difference.   Enjoy!!