Hundreds of volunteers enjoyed a warm spring day Saturday to help prepare Homewood and Flossmoor parks for the busy summer season.
Pam Melnuk, administrative assistant for the H-F Park District, coordinated the effort. She estimated between 300 and 400 volunteers pitched in to spread mulch, pick up litter and debris, weed and plant flowers.
“This is a huge help to the park district,” she said. “It would take a lot longer” if district staff had to do the clean-up work themselves.
Keith Kapes and his wife, Sue, were among the volunteers at Millennium Park. He said they live near the park and have helped with the clean-up for about five years.
“We use the park a lot,” Keith said. “We think it’s our responsibility to do what we can.”
After most of the work was done, volunteers were treated to a hot dog lunch at Irwin Park in Homewood. The park district also gave away oak saplings as a show of thanks.
