Participants are needed to spruce up local parks by trimming limbs, grooming grounds, combing beaches and planting more flowers and trees during Parks Appreciation Day on Sat., April 21 between 9 a.m. and noon. This annual event draws thousands of volunteers in cities throughout Pierce County, each person lending a hand to keep parks beautiful and to do a good deed for their community.

Individuals or groups with fewer than 10 participants can simply show up at 9 a.m. and check in at one of the designated park sites. Groups of 10 or more are asked to pre-register by contacting the liaison listed for the park they are interested in working in. This helps staff to prepare the site with adequate supplies for the work that will be done. For Metro Parks Tacoma, groups can call Richard M. at (253) 202-5978. A complete listing of participating parks is available online at http://www.ParksAppreciationDay.net .

Municipalities and organizations coordinating the event include Citizens for a Healthy Bay, City of Bonney Lake, City of Gig Harbor, City of Dupont, City of Fife, City of Fircrest, City of Gig Harbor, Key Pen Parks, City of Lakewood, Metro Parks Tacoma, Milton Parks & Recreation, PenMet Parks, Pierce County Parks, Puget Creek Restoration Society, City of Puyallup and City of University Place.