Volunteer to Clean Neighborhood Parks This Saturday

It's time to roll up your sleeves and get dirty for a good cause. 

This Saturday, April 20, neighborhoods across Chicago will be participating in the annual Clean & Green Day. The effort is a way for residents to get together and clean up their neighborhood parks and public spaces.

Community groups register to receive tools and bags so they can equip volunteers to help beautify their favorite green space.

The 32nd and 43rd wards have several community groups who have registered for the event and will be leading the clean-up efforts on Saturday.

Here are a few ideas of how you can participate:

• Wrightwood Neighbors Association: Clean up Jonquil Park between 9 a.m. and noon. Meet by the tennis courts and bring gloves and a rake or broom, if you can.

• 3th Annual Earth Day at North Pond: Volunteer between 10 a.m. and noon at the Lincoln Park Conservatory to restore and beautify the North Pond Nature Sanctuary. Spend the morning mulching park trees, removing litter, restoring a nature trail and seeding prairies to increase species diversity.

• Friends of the Parks and Ranch Triangle: Join Ranch Triangle and Friends of the Park at their Annual Ranch Park cleanup between 9 a.m. and noon. This year volunteers will be cleaning up Adams Playlot and Privet Park. Interested? Show up at the park of your choice. All materials (gloves, trash bags, etc.) will be provided and many hands will make for light work. Contact info@RanchTriangle.org.

Plan on volunteering? Tell us where in the comments.