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Parks Appreciation Day a chance for volunteers to get their hands dirty

After a two-year COVID-induced hiatus, Parks Appreciation Day returns to Gig Harbor on Saturday, April 9. It’s traditionally been one of springtime’s most popular local events as the community rolls up its collective sleeves to get parks ready for summer activities.

This year, volunteers can join in the tidying-up efforts at Wilkinson Farm, Veterans Memorial Park and Shaw Park, according to Parks Commission Chair Ben Coronado. City staff and council members will also be volunteering, as will local businesses and nonprofits.

There’s sawdust to spread, brambles to trim, trails to clear, weeds to pull and plenty of work to go around.

PenMet volunteers trim trails during a previous Parks Appreciation Day. PenMet Parks

Elsewhere in the area, PenMet Parks is hosting similar clean-ups at Tubby’s Trail Dog Park, Narrows Park and Sehmel Homestead Park, PenMet Special Projects Manager Nicole Jones-Vogel said.

Parks Appreciation Day previously has been celebrated in conjunction with Earth Day. Competing events led city and PenMet officials to switch to an earlier date this year, Coronado said.

City parks

Councilmember Mary Barber, who was vice chair of the Parks Commission until being appointed to the city council earlier this year, is thrilled that the event is back.

“I’m so happy that we can have Parks Appreciation Day again this year,” she said. “It’s such a wonderful way for our community to come together, celebrate spring and enjoy our amazing parks.”

For Coronado and Councilmember Robyn Denson, Parks Appreciation Day is a family affair. Coronado always takes his kids with him to volunteer at least one park. “It’s a great way for them to get a sense of community and to understand how important our parks are,” he said.

Volunteers work at DeMolay Sandspit in February. PenMet Parks

Volunteers will really see the difference they’re making.

“My kids invite their friends to go with us, which makes it even more fun,” Denson said, adding that she’s “not a big fan of weeding, so I usually choose parks where there’s lots of mulch or gravel to spread. There’s nothing like creating a fresh trail.”

Her daughter actually likes to cut back the blackberry bushes, “so that gets to be her job. Better her than me,” Denson said with a laugh.

Volunteers will receive special “thank you gifts,” City Parks Administrator Matt Keough said.

PenMet Parks

At Tubby’s Park, volunteers will help clear trails that meander through the wooded areas.

“A lot of dog owners who come to Tubby’s Park don’t even know about some of the trails, so a bit of maintenance will make them more accessible,” Jones-Vogel said.

Work at Narrows Park will focus on grubbing out blackberries along the beach, and at Sehmel volunteers will help with ivy removal. There will be refreshments at all three locations to reward helpers for their efforts, she said.

This is just one of many events PenMet has planned for the spring and summer. Recently a crew spent a day doing clean-up work at the DeMolay Sandspit, Jones-Vogel said.

Everyone gets involved

Coronado noted that many local church groups, organizations and businesses participate in Parks Appreciation Day. Getting the whole community involved together “really creates a sense of ownership and pride” in the parks, he said.

Helping at Parks Appreciation Day is a family affair. City of Gig Harbor

The city’s public works crews are also a major player in the event. They set up wheelbarrows, shovels and piles of sawdust and wood chips at each site.

Volunteers should bring their own gloves, sheers, loppers and a refillable water bottle. Of course, dress for whatever the weather provides that day.

“Be prepared to get dirty — and be sure you put your name on all your tools,” Coronado said. But, please — no power tools, Keough added.

Keough looks forward to volunteering again this year.

“Back in 2007 when I worked for the city before, I pulled a lot of ivy at Donkey Creek,” he recalled. “This year I’ll probably make the rounds of all three parks.

“It’s such a special day and Gig Harbor is such a special place, which is why so many people love this event.”

He’s especially eager for people to see work the public works crews have already done clearing blackberries from the holly orchard at Wilkinson Farm.

“Our natural resources like our trails and lovely parks are a part of the natural beauty that attracted so many of us to make Gig Harbor home,” Councilmember Brenda Lykins said. “I’m so thankful for the work that our parks director and parks commissioners have put into organizing this happy event. Spring is here with the promise of warmer days ahead, so let’s roll up our sleeves and work together to beatify our community.”

Click here to volunteer for Parks Appreciation Day. Volunteers are required to sign up in advance.

Volunteers pull weeds during a previous Parks Appreciation Day. City of Gig Harbor