Timucuan Parks Foundation and JaxParks are hosting two summer volunteer opportunities next week. On Monday, July 5, volunteers are asked to join to help clean up the beaches at Kathryn Abby Hanna Park and on Wednesday, July 7, the organization will be leading trail maintenance along the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail.
For the cleanup on Monday, July 5, voluteers should meet at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park at 500 Wonderwood Dr. at 8 a.m. Volunteers should tell the gate guards they are there for the volunteer cleanup and meet in the parking lot in the large field by Pavilion 6. Wear closed-toe shoes, clothes that can get dirty, and bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, sunglasses and a full reusable water bottle.
On Wednesday, July 7, volunteers should meet at the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail at 1380 Otis Rd. to assist with the maintenance of a rough-cut trail along the path. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes, clothes that can get dirty, and bring work gloves (if possible), sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, sunglasses and a full reusable water bottle. Timucuan Parks Foundation will have additional work gloves, equipment and supplies, and will provide snacks and water.
Volunteers of all ages are welcome and can use this volunteer event to earn community service hours. Those under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or scout leader during the project. Registration is not required. Waivers can be obtained in advance at timucuanparks.com/volunteer/.
Additional volunteer opportunities will be available throughout the summer. On July 21, volunteers can help with the maintenance of the trails and pollinator garden at Castaway Island Preserve and on Aug. 4 there will be a shoreline cleanup at Reddie Point Preserve. For more information, email info@timucuanparks.org or call (904) 374-1107.
Jacksonville’s preservation parks were chosen strategically to provide access to all residents and ecosystem benefits to the entire area. Not only do they provide a buffer to control urban sprawl and form a “ring of parks” to define Jacksonville, but they also provide ecosystem services that help protect us from natural disasters. Trail maintenance, shoreline cleanups, invasive plant removals, native planting and other maintenance and beautification projects are vitally important to the health and resiliency of our parks, preserves, and the overall community.