Earth Day is a worldwide opportunity to think globally and act locally by getting out and becoming involved in outdoor activities. Help the planet feel a little better locally in a fun way and make some new friends at Lydgate
Earth Day is a worldwide opportunity to think globally and act locally by getting out and becoming involved in outdoor activities. Help the planet feel a little better locally in a fun way and make some new friends at Lydgate Park in Wailua on Kaua‘i.
This year Earth Day is being celebrated with a volunteer workday, and you are invited to lend a hand. These events help keep the park clean and well-maintained for everyone’s enjoyment.
Volunteer registration starts at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow at the main pavilion in Lydgate Park with free coffee and pastries. Lunch donated by supporting businesses is served to the volunteers at noon.
The main task is applying a coat of non-toxic linseed oil wood sealer and doing maintenance carpentry on the playground. Persons with carpentry skills will be especially welcome and are asked to call Thomas Noyes at 639-1018.
Volunteers are advised to wear old clothes in case the linseed oil gets splashed, and closed toe shoes, gloves and hats are recommended.
Volunteers can bring tools that will be useful: 2- to 3-inch paint brushes, ladders, 32 ounce plastic containers.
“If you can bring a ladder, taller is better,” said building contractor and volunteer Bruce Netzer, who will lead a crew applying wood sealer.
“It takes comprehensive planning to smoothly check in and direct all the volunteers who participate in events like this,” said volunteer coordinator Pastor Fran Becker, “and for Earth Day at Lydgate Park, the Grace Redemption Ministries parishioners will lend their kokua.”
Although Lydgate Park seems exceptionally clean for such a heavily used park, there is always litter and debris on the beach to be collected. Valerie Sakai, tobacco control specialist with the Kaua‘i Eastside School Complex, will be organizing teens to sweep through the park, collecting cigarette butts.
“We’re hoping to see about 125 volunteers participating,” said John Lydgate, who is one of the park’s most devoted caretakers.
The Friends was formed in 1993 to help coordinate maintenance at Kamalani playground, now a landmark on Kaua‘i. The organization went on to create a master plan for Lydgate Park that included walking and bicycling paths, sports fields, coastal access for fishing and overnight camping facilities. Now there are 2.5 miles of ADA-compliant walking paths completed, three full-size sports fields nearing completion, the fishing access is protected for perpetuity and only the overnight camping is yet to be completed.
More information about this event is available by calling Thomas Noyes at 639-1018.
