Topeka Tree Team joins up with the community for a park face-lift
5:16 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2008
Cutting up shrubs and shoveling away debris is how many volunteers spent their Saturday morning.
"We usually get a little honks, and thumbs up, and smiles, and comments that are positive, so it kind of gives you a good feeling," volunteer Ken Thomas said.
Thomas shoveled away mounds of dirt that gathered in this trench.
He told 49 News he doesn't mind getting out and getting dirt "'cause I feel like it's a worth while project. It's something that needed to be done, and I feel like it's appreciated."
Like Kevin, many others joined the project to clean up Willow Park.
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"I just seen it outside, and thought I'd come out and help," neighbor Mike Aiken said.
Mike Aiken lives across the street, and he was surprised to see people out helping the neighborhood.
"It's rather interesting. Actually I didn't think it would happen, but it's nice to see people volunteering," Aiken said.
Lynn Hultquist is a local arborist and horticulturist with the Topeka Tree Team, he says cleaning up the community is what it's all about.
"We started cleaning up areas that we felt were neglected," Hultquist said.
Keep America Beautiful joined in today with volunteers to help dig up the problem areas of the park.
"There's people that come out and play Frisbee golf all the time, they have trouble with the limbs, and all that stuff," Aiken said.
Between cutting down overgrown shrubs and pruning back trees, there was plenty of work to keep volunteers busy, but none of them were complaining.
"Just the warm feeling in your heart for doing something that's enjoyed and appreciated, and it makes a difference in the community, I think," Thomas said.
"Seeing everybody get together that's awesome, community service," Aiken shared.
And even though they had a little dirt on their hands, many people left with a feeling of pride in cleaning up a city park.
The Topeka Tree Team works every third Saturday of the month from 9 to noon.
It works closely with Keep America Beautiful to clean up different parts of the Capital City. You can email Lynn Hultquist if you would like to volunteer at lchultquist@yahoo.com.
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