Third annual "Helping Our Parks" Project coming mid-April

The Helping Our Parks Project, or "HOP" Project, is an annual community service event organized by the Wrangell parks and recreation department. Parks and Recreation Director Kate Thomas said that this is the third year it will be held and it's coming up on April 20.

The HOP Project began in 2017, she said, when the department and local volunteers came out to Volunteer Park to clean up and repair the place. In 2018 it took place at City Park.

This year, they are coming back to Volunteer Park, Thomas said. She said that it was necessary to double back on Volunteer Park, since the area received so much use. The department would like to have a HOP Project out at Shoemaker Park, where they want to beautify the area and build a pavilion. However, that is in the future, and Thomas said that their immediate attention is on fixing up Volunteer Park.

Each HOP Project has seen between 50 and 60 volunteers come out to help, she said, and they are expecting the same this year.

"I was sort of blown away by that, actually," she said. "I think the first year we were like, 'If we get 20 people, we're gonna feel good about that,' and then people just came out in large numbers."

There are several projects Thomas said they are wanting to accomplish at Volunteer Park. They will be doing a lot of maintenance on the senior league ball field, as well as some landscaping. They also plan to re-roof the dugouts, repair the door to the score booth, and remove some alders, among various other jobs. Nobody has to call ahead or register to help out, Thomas said, they just need to show up ready to work. Of course, she added, it does not hurt to call ahead if there is a special skill or certain job a person would like to dedicate their time to.

"We ask that volunteers sign in and sign out so that we can log the amount of hours of volunteers for grant leverage later on," she said. "If you have a specialized skill, it's easier if we know you're coming so that we can have the materials on hand to address the task that your skill will allow us to complete."

Fundraising is another aspect of the project, Thomas said. The Parks and Rec Department is hoping to raise $10,000 this year through individual donations and sponsorships. There is no fee to come out and help, Thomas said, but they will be accepting voluntary cash donations the day of the project. People who cannot come out to work, but still want to help, can stop by the community pool with a donation, or write a check to the city.

Thomas also added that there are several sponsorship packages for businesses and individuals listed on their website. This money will be going towards park signage, a new volleyball net, and roofing materials. Thomas said that they have a long-term goal to add stone to the part of the walking trail that goes directly behind the baseball fields, to complete the trail's circle.

Thomas said that lunch will be provided, and there will be door prizes for volunteers to win. The HOP Project will kick off at 9:30 a.m. on April 20, and will run until 3 p.m. Volunteers do not need to stay for the entire day, she said. Any time people can spare is welcome. Thomas advised that people show up in appropriate work clothes. It would also be helpful if volunteers could bring things like buckets, rakes, and general landscaping supplies. The Parks and Rec Department will have tools on hand, she said, but it is always wise to have extras.

"If folks aren't able to make it to the event, but still want to contribute in some form or fashion, they can always contact us and we can work with them and our parks personnel on a different day," she said.