Lakewood Will Host A Parks Appreciation Day Volunteer Event April 23

LAKEWOOD, WA —The city of Lakewood is reminding residents that April 23 is Parks Appreciation Day, which will feature volunteering opportunities throughout the city.

The event lasts from 9 a.m. to noon at six locations:

• American Lake Park, 9222 Veterans Dr. SW
• Fort Steilacoom Park, 8714 87th Ave. SW
• Springbrook Park, 12601 Addison St. SW
• Police Station, 9401 Lakewood Dr. SW
• Community Garden, 5504 112th St. SW
• Wards Lake Park, 2716 84th St. Ct. S

At these locations, volunteers will participate in activities like: removing invasive weeds, picking up trash, repairing playgrounds, painting fences, light landscaping, Scotch broom removal and trail maintenance.

Details about specific tasks for each park/location are available on the city of Lakewood website.

At Fort Steilacoom Park, a volunteer group called Grave Concerns will be on hand to help maintain the headstones of deceased Western State Hospital patients buried there between 1876 and 1953.

Volunteers interested in helping at any of the parks are asked to register online, where they can indicate at which park they wish to participate.

Participants should arrive by 9 a.m. and have gloves, water, outdoor clothing, sunscreen and hand pruners, if available.

Organizers said the event will take place rain or shine, so volunteers should watch the weather and prepare accordingly.