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DNRP
Jan. 21, 2009

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., volunteers give more than 600 hours of service in parks

While many people didn’t have to work on Jan. 19 because of the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, nearly 200 volunteers spent part of their holiday giving back to the community by performing hundreds of hours of work throughout the King County Parks system.MLKparksvolunteers

“Volunteerism and giving back to your community reflects the true nature of Dr. King’s legacy,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “For contributing to the good of all King County residents, these volunteers deserve our heartfelt thanks.”

In all, nearly 650 hours of volunteer work were given during “Day of Service”  events at King County Parks that were organized in tribute to the slain civil rights leader:

  • More than 30 University of Washington students weeded a habitat restoration area at Cavanaugh Pond, along the Cedar River east of Renton;
  • 85 students, along with 15 teachers and parents, from Northwood Middle School, spent the holiday morning raking leaves, picking up litter and spreading mulch at Petrovitsky Park in Kent;
  • More than two dozen hardy volunteers worked under the guidance of Washington Trails Association to improve drainage and widen the East Fork Trail at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park;
  • Ten more volunteers spent several hours wrestling with stubborn blackberry vines at Skyway Park; and
  • Almost 60 Cub Scouts from Pack 411, along with siblings and parents, cleaned up flood damage at Mariner Little League Field in Carnation.

Volunteer opportunities are available year ‘round at King County Parks. More information is available at http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/volunteer.aspx , or by calling Laurie Clinton, volunteer program manager, at 206-296-4452.

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks/.