County Executive Robert P. Astorino joined more than 1,000 volunteers who donated their time and energy to help spruce up Westchester County Parks, during Pitch In for Parks on Sunday, April 10. This annual program helps spruce-up the county parks, recreational trails and nature centers for the upcoming season.
Pitch In for Parks is the largest single-day volunteer activity of the year in the parks. People of all ages participated individually or as members of groups or organizations. Many chose to volunteer in their favorite parks; others signed on to pitch in wherever the need was greatest.
Collectively, they cleared trails, pruned trees and shrubs, prepared and planted flower beds, painted, swept, cleaned and removed debris in more than a dozen Westchester County Parks, including Glen Island Park in New Rochelle, where Cub Scout Den 5, Pack 15 of New Rochelle planted shrubs.
In addition to the work done on Sunday, several county nature centers will host individual "Pitch In" activities in the coming days based on the availability of volunteer groups.
Co-sponsors of this year's program included Friends of Westchester County Parks, Inc., Entergy, 107.1 The Peak radio, REI and Con Edison.
Several local businesses also supported the effort by donating snacks and beverages for volunteers.
Pitch In participants play an active role in the stewardship of the more than 18,000 acres of parks, trails and nature centers.
Pictured above is Dylan Brown of New Rochelle Cub Scouts, Pack 15.