Cleaning on a Saturday morning is usually reserved for homes, garages and cars.
But the recent, 16th Annual Park Pride Day found dozens of volunteers mulching around trees and playground areas, as well as picking up trash and doing other chores at four Highland locations.
“We have about 150 volunteers working at Homestead Park, Main Square Park, Lincoln Center and the Bike Trail,” said Highland Parks superintendent Alex Brown, as the spruce-up event got underway at Main Square Park. “We have church organizations, cub scouts, individuals and many other groups assisting us.”
Brown added that this particular day was National Earth Day, so that may be part of the inspiration to give time and effort to a worthwhile cause — beautifying public areas.
And, according to those providing the labor, another reason is that they take pride in knowing their volunteer work would be appreciated by the townspeople, as well as those visiting Highland.
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It was a family affair for Amy St. Michael, as she watched her husband Kevin work his shovel, and her son James, 3 1/2, happily work his rake in the Butterfly Garden at the northeast corner of Main Square Park.
“This is the park my kids play in,” Mom said. “We’re happy to help make it a nice place to visit.”
Members of Highland Cub Scout Pack 297, accompanied by cub master Richard Langel, set their sights on spreading mulch in various areas, with Langel at the helm of the wheelbarrow.
Josh Huizenga, 6, found the experience a breeze.
When questioned about the most challenging part of the day’s chores, he said he couldn’t find anything. “Even scooping the dirt was easy”, he added, with a laugh.
Mulching around trees, removing debris and cleaning out the butterfly garden were on the to-do list.
Highland resident Margaret Parker was taking her daily walk near Main Square as she observed the busy bee workers.
“Wow, this is amazing. The little ones are working as hard as the adults,” she said, with a laugh. “I’m proud to live in Highland. Keeping our parks clean shows the town cares about its residents.”
Highland Parks recreation supervisor Alyce De Boer said many groups return each year. “We always have such a great turnout for this event, people really care about their town” she said. “It’s wonderful that so many people are willing to give of their time.”
After work was completed at the four locations, volunteer crews met back at Main Square Park for lunch. Parks Department employees fired up the grill to cook hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs for the work crews.
“This (lunch) is our way to show appreciation for the volunteers’ efforts,” Brown said. “They also receive a Park Pride Day t-shirt.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.