Community members are invited to help clean up Sam Pitts Park in Clarkesville at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 14 as part of an effort to spruce up the city’s park.
Volunteers will remove privet and other non-native invasive species adjacent to the river. This will allow native plants to thrive and also increase the connectivity between Pitts Park and the Soque River.
“The purpose of this is to beautify the park for upcoming events including the Mountain Laurel Festival (May 21) and Soque River Festival (June 4),” explains Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock. “We take pride in our public park, and want to make sure it looks the best that it can so it can be enjoyed by everyone.”
This clean up is part of a series of ongoing park beautification efforts including continued cleaning of the entire circumference of the park, the exterior renovation of the restrooms, the addition of an information kiosk, replacement of swings, and most recently the construction of a River View platform. Due to environmental concerns, the area along the river must be cleared by hand, hence the need for community volunteer assistance.
The cleanup is scheduled from 9am to noon. Coffee and biscuits will be provided.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves, drinking water, and dress appropriately for outdoor work. Tools and other necessary equipment will be provided by the Soque River Watershed Association and the City of Clarkesville.
