RAIN DOESN'T DAMPEN SPIRITS OF PARK FRIENDS

Despite the chilly, damp weather Saturday, more than 500 people turned out to help beautify the Cape Girardeau city parks during Friends of the Park Day.

Most of the activity was concentrated at Capaha Park, where flowers were planted, playground equipment painted, leaves raked and litter picked up.

But groups of citizens also tackled similar tasks at several of the city's other parks, including Arena, Washington, Indian, and Dennis Scivally parks, the May Greene Garden, and Old Lorimier Cemetery.

For park board member Julia Kridelbaugh, the Parks and Recreation Department event was a family affair.

She and her husband, and their five children participated in the Saturday morning event, helping to spruce up May Greene Garden.

"We just kind of cleaned up. It was good to help our environment," said Donna Kridelbaugh, 10.

Julia Kridelbaugh said, "I enjoyed it. I think it's great.

"I just thing everybody ought to come out and get involved," she said, adding that it's "a good, family event."

Three Cape Girardeau City Council members Mary Wulfers, Melvin Gateley and Doug Richards participated in Friends of the Park Day.

Wulfers and her 6-year-old son, Matthew, helped pick up litter at Capaha Park. She said they picked up countless soda straws and cigarette butts.

The less-than-ideal weather couldn't dampen her enthusiasm for the seventh annual beautification effort.

"I think it is fabulous when you get hundreds of people in the community to come out and clean up the parks.

"I had no idea that it was this big of a deal," she added.

She said Friends of the Park Day participants enjoyed themselves. "That's what everybody is doing having a good time," said Wulfers.

H.K. Carter of Cape Girardeau joined about 20 fellow members of the local American Legion post and the legion auxiliary in cleaning up around the baseball field at Capaha Park.

When he was done there, Carter spotted some leaves that needed to be raked and swept off the sidewalk surrounding Capaha Pool. "I brought my own rake and borrowed this broom," said Carter, as he diligently proceeded with the task at hand.

"It's great. It's a lot of civic pride," he said of the springtime event.

"I'm 85 and you need a little exercise and every little hand counts," noted Carter.

Mary Copen, 13, of Cape Girardeau spent the morning picking up trash around Capaha Lagoon. "This is my third year. It's kind of fun," she said.

Dan Muser, city parks and recreation director, estimated that about 600 to 700 flowers were planted in the city parks Saturday.

At least two dozen or more clubs and civic groups participated in the beautification effort, he said.

"We had a pretty good crowd," said Muser. "I would say it was pretty close to what we had in past years."