Celebrate Earth Day by protecting and cleaning the region’s parks and waterways during Five Rivers MetroParks’ 32nd annual Adopt-A-Park, supported by lead sponsor, Vectren.
From 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 13, thousands of volunteers from across the region will come together to spruce up these green spaces just in time for spring. Register online by Friday, April 5, at www.metroparks.org/adopt. Groups are encouraged to register early to ensure space at available sites.
Volunteers of all ages, accessibility levels and backgrounds will tackle more than 30 projects at different sites. Projects include trash removal, repairs to trails, removal of invasive species, cleaning garden beds and more. These projects will improve the environment and beautify the region’s natural areas.
Photo Credit: Five Rivers MetroParks
“The volunteers who come out to help during this Earth Day celebration are really representative of people who use the parks,” said MetroParks volunteer coordinator Yvonne Dunphe. “We welcome families with kids, church groups, co-workers, students and more. It’s exciting to see the community come together in support of MetroParks and its mission to protect the region’s natural heritage.”
Photo Credit: Five Rivers MetroParks
Volunteers will be provided project supplies, gloves and trash bags. Participants should bring water and wear weather-appropriate clothing. Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt.
In 2018, more than 2,000 volunteers worked at 41 sites to clean 31 acres in MetroParks, in addition to 31 miles of local river and lake shorelines. Volunteers also planted 250 trees and dozens of flowers and bulbs.
“There’s so much work to do to prepare the parks for warmer weather, and we really couldn’t do it without the help from our awesome Adopt-A-Park volunteers,” Dunphe said. “We hope everyone will spend the morning sprucing up the parks and then continue to get out and explore the trails and green spaces throughout the season.”
Additional support for Adopt-A-Park is provided by A.M. Leonard, Keep Montgomery County Beautiful, Universal 1 Credit Union, Montgomery County Environmental Services, Barrett Paving, Pratt Industries and QEI Engineers.
ABOUT FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS
Celebrating more than 50 years of preserving green space and natural areas, Five Rivers MetroParks is a nationally renowned park system composed of natural area parks, gardens, high-quality river corridors, urban parks and a network of recreation trails. Five Rivers MetroParks protects the region’s natural heritage and provides outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. Educational programs and recreational opportunities are offered year-round for all ages. Five Rivers MetroParks is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. To learn more about Five Rivers MetroParks, log onto www.metroparks.org or call 937-275-PARK (7275).
