Community Corner

Public Lands Day: Join Volunteers at 40 Pa. Parks on Saturday

Be part of the public lands movement 20 years in the making.

By Lucy Bennett

More than 170,000 people are expected to volunteer Saturday at sites across the United States.

It’s the 20th anniversary of National Public Lands Day, and its 20th anniversary.

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The effort began with three sites and 700 volunteers. Last year was the biggest year yet with 175,000 volunteers and 2,206 sites.

There are 40 Pennsylvania sites are taking part in the National Public Lands Day on Saturday, including these local sites:

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Valley Forge National Historical Park

Valley Forge, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Choose from 10-15 volunteer projects. Join guided nature hikes, youth educational activities and an environmental expo. Projects may include planting native trees and plants, maintaining trails and replica soldier huts, removing trash, stabilizing streambanks along and more.

Following the event’s festivities there will be a barbeque lunch located in the Visitor Center lower parking lot. The lunch is hosted by the Young Friends of Valley Forge Park. Donations for the lunch are suggested.”

Cynwyd Station Park

Bala Cynwyd, 1 to 5 p.m.

“The park, along with Cynwyd Station, is the trailhead for the Cynwyd Heritage Trail, a community-driven rail-to-trail project that connects Philadelphia to its first generation suburbs by way of three restored historic railroad bridges over the Schuylkill River.  During this workday, we will plant a host of native plants, weed, water, mulch, have a bee demonstration and rebuild a tree well.”

Glen Providence Park

Media, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The Friends of Glen Providence Park will plant 28 native trees and shrubs along Broomall’s Run by the pond, to help stabilize the streambank in an area of serious erosion. This project will also create a riparian buffer, improve wildlife habitat, and beautify the park.”

“We also welcome anyone who wants to participate by picking up trash along the trails and stream.”

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

Elverson, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We expect to have several volunteers performing living history demonstrations and barn chores.”

Cedar Creek Parkway & Muhlenberg Lake

Allentown, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Revitalization and clean up of Muhlenberg Lake and surrounding Cedar Creek Parkway. Phase one includes: creation of bird habitat on the island. Remove invasive and plant native vegetation on the island as well as the shoreline. Create and in some areas expand the riparian buffers along the mainland shoreline. Create rain garden on the northeast corner of the mainland. Remove trash, white goods, tires, drums and more from the lake, as well as collecting litter along the shoreline and surrounding park land.”

High Rocks - Ralph Stover State Park

Pipersville, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We will be working on some specific projects as well as general clean-up and trail maintenance.”

Nockamixon State Park

Quakertown, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Park Volunteers will be doing trail work in the park.”

If you want to join one of the projects, be sure to click on the link for details and to see if you need to register in advance.


You can also look up sites outside of Pennsylvania on the National Public Lands Day website.


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