Spring Spruce-Up: Collaborating for Clean Parks

It’s amazing how much can be accomplished by working together. When collaboration and cooperation combine individual contributions into a collective effort, it’s a beautiful thing.

Or, to coin the catch-phrase, “Many hands make light work.”

That’s the spirit behind Spring Spruce-Up, the Fox Valley Park District’s premier volunteer event that brings community members together for the common good—the beautiful parks we all share and enjoy.

This year’s event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 21, at six different park sites. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to join in for what will be another fun and productive morning outdoors. And, it happens on the eve of Earth Day, a perfect pairing.

Each volunteer taking part in Spring Spruce-Up will be placed at the park site closest to their home and be joined by park district staff. Together, the groups will give their site a makeover involving litter clean-up, raking and various other little tasks to make our neighborhood and community parks shine.

All volunteers will receive a complimentary snack, bottle of water and a special park district gift.

“Spring Spruce-Up is a wonderful way for co-workers, family and friends to enjoy some time together while giving back to their community,” said Debbie Smith, community outreach manager for the park district and lead organizer for Spring Spruce-Up. “It’s also a good opportunity for children to learn the value and importance of volunteering and what a difference it can make.”

Begun in 2009, Spring Spruce-Up has grown from 225 volunteers to more than 500 last year. Scout groups, church groups, students and neighbors have all joined in and given back to their neighborhoods and communities.

“Clean parks are a positive reflection on the residents who live around them,” said Smith. “Volunteers who help maintain them gain a sense of ownership and pride.”

The six park sites selected were spaced geographically throughout the district so no volunteer will have to travel far to help make a difference. The sites are:

• Gilman Trail / Blackberry Farm (100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora)
• Montgomery Park (River and Mill streets, Montgomery)
• North Aurora Island Park (State Street Bridge, North Aurora)
• O’Donnell Park/Prairie Path (1640 Reckinger Road, Aurora)
• South Broadway Park (South Broadway and Hazel Ave., Aurora)
• Waubonsie Creek Park (Montgomery Road and Mair Drive, Aurora)

A few hours on a Saturday morning—a volunteer party in the park—will make a big difference with lasting effects that go well beyond a simple cleanup.

Jeff Long is the public relations manager for the Fox Valley Park District. Interested volunteers can contact Debbie Smith at (630) 966-4555 to register for Spring Spruce-Up.

Fox Valley Park District Upcoming Events

• Saturday, March 31: 5K Spring Gallop at Blackberry Farm, 8:30 a.m.
• Saturday, March 31: Bunny Brunch at Prisco Community Center, 10:30 a.m. to noon
• Wednesday, April 4: Point, Click and Earn: Moonlighting on the Internet at Prisco Community Center, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 11: Perform It Series Showcase: ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at Prisco Community Center, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
• Saturday, April 21: Spring Spruce-up at six community parks, 9 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, April 21: Spring Voyage to Fun at Eola Community Center, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Saturday, April 21: Earth Day at Red Oak, 1 to 3 p.m.