VOLUNTEER DAY
WORTH TWP — The work of a small team of volunteers on Sunday revealed a brick path mostly hidden under weeds at Moraine State Park.
After putting out an open call for volunteers last week, the Moraine Preservation Fund gathered a team of about 10 people together on Sunday afternoon to clear weeds from brick memorial paths around the McDanel's boat launch. The paths contain bricks bearing the names of donors to the fund.
Cassandra Dixon, vice president of the fund's board of directors, said they plan to reopen the paths for more donor bricks to be added in the spring.
“It's been a while since we had a volunteer day here to clean it up, and we want to make sure we're honoring those who gave to support the park,” Dixon said.
The preservation fund is a 501(c)(3) organization that helps fuel park improvements and maintenance projects. In the coming years, Dixon said, the group is hoping to add to the educational spaces at the park.
The team of volunteers enjoyed warm, sunny weather as they worked. Tanni Mitchell said she and her 6-year-old daughter, Malorie, had to come.“We enjoy the park, and we're here all the time,” Tanni said. “This little one likes to pull weeds, so we figured, why not?”Malorie said she enjoyed the muddy work, especially when she was able to pull up blankets of grass all at once.The Mitchells were so productive, they discovered that the section of brick they were working on actually began several feet from where it appeared to start.“She told us to start at the beginning and work over,” Tanni said. “So, we starting pulling back weeds and found bricks. And then more bricks. And more bricks. It's like being an archaeologist.”Those interested in volunteering with the preservation fund should go to MorainePreservationFund.org and visit the volunteer page under “Join Us.”In the near future, the group is seeking volunteers for Winterfest scheduled for Feb. 8.
