Hundreds volunteer to clean up parks in Cape and Jackson

CHRIS PAGANO*semissourian

Participating in Jackson Park Day were, left, Angela Breese and Keith Sander, representing Boy Scout Pack 212 volunteers. By Chris Pagano ~ Southeast Missourian

Hundreds of volunteers got some sunshine and exercise Saturday while saving the cities of Cape Girardeau and Jackson thousands in park maintenance costs.

It was Friends of the Park Day -- or simply Park Day in Jackson -- celebrated annually in both cities on the last weekend in April. The idea is to recruit residents, individually and those in social and civic clubs, to spruce up the public parks they enjoy. They plant flowers, paint benches, pick up trash and branches, mulch and do a number of other tasks.

Cape Girardeau park supervisor Brock Davis and city maintenance workers used walkie-talkies to communicate, sending groups here and there and making the most effective use of volunteer time. Davis' estimation in savings to the city was roughly $2,500 in half a day.

He said there are 550 acres of Cape Girardeau parks to mow in the spring, leaving workers little time for other duties. "What I find most interesting is the dedication of people who volunteer," he said. "We have had years when people have turned out to plant flowers in rain and mud. The kids love it."

Shane West Anderson, Jackson's parks and recreation director, said he appreciates those who make a commitment year after year.

"While we can't put a figure on how much money is saved by volunteers doing the work, it jump-starts our spring cleaning," he said. "Last year, 175 showed up. This year we have all that and more. Each year it grows."

Cape Girardeau parks improved on Saturday were Capaha Park, Kiwanis Park, Cape Rock Park, Arena Park and Groves Park.

Master gardener Ruth Borgman was among those planting 960 annuals in a round flowerbed near the lake at Capaha Park, contributing to her 30 hours of volunteering required in the master gardener program.

"I've always been a dirt digger all my life," she said, tenderly adjusting the red salvia and white vincas.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133