Celebrate Parks Appreciation Day on April 20

Give Lakewood parks some TLC on April 20 for Pierce County’s annual Parks Appreciation Day.

The event, in its 12th year, will be hosting events throughout Pierce County, and local residents of all ages are invited to come help beautify the parks from 9 a.m. to noon.

According to Metro Parks Tacoma, nearly 2,500 people in Pierce County volunteered in 2011. Together, they removed more than 200 cubic yards of debris, collected more than 150 bags of litter and planted 2,000-plus trees.

Here are some of the participating locations for Parks Appreciation Day:

Fort Steilacoom Park
8714 87th Ave. SW

What should I bring?

• Wear warm, appropriate clothing, depending on the weather.
• Bring tools such as small hand tools, loppers, pruners, gloves, rakes, shovels, small pitchforks and even wheelbarrows (make sure and label them).
• Carpool is encouraged.

Families and Individuals: No need to pre-register; just visit one of the sites listed below to help the groups or drop by your favorite park.

Large Groups and Organizations: Contact one of the following agencies for large groups and organizations:

Lakewood: Suzi Riley, 253-983-7758

Dupont: Amy Walker, 253-912-5425 

Metro Parks Tacoma: Richard Madison, 253-202-5978

Pierce County: Cara Cross, 253-841-8515