Dozens of volunteers gathered across the city of Elizabethton to participate in Friends of the Parks Day, to assist in a variety of different projects to help improve and preserve their local parks.

Director of Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Mike Mains said they partnered with Hunter First Baptist to put on the event.

“This is something we have done several times throughout the years,” Mains said. “It is a wonderful group of volunteers led by some tremendous leadership.”

Volunteers scattered to half a dozen different locations throughout the city, including the Covered Bridge, Douglas and Kiwanis Parks and the Northeast Community Credit Union’s Joe O’Brien Field.

At these locations, they assisted in several different projects, including mulching, planting trees and shrubs and pressure washing several of the pavilions.

“Our department has been very fortunate to have been able to work with [Hunter First Baptist’s] pastor and congregation through the years,” Mains said. “They truly care about our community and we are very grateful for the services they will provide.”

He said they get “so much accomplished” in the one day they put on the event, showcasing the community’s love for its parks and the beauty they provide.

“It is a blessing for us, too, because we get to work one-on-one with our local citizens that take a lot of pride in the recreational facilities we have,” he said.

Beyond the one day, however, Mains said they appreciate anyone who is willing to volunteer to assist in preserving the parks’ natural beauty.

“We would just like to encourage more people, whether it be a church or a nonprofit organization, that would like to come out and volunteer to contact our office.”

He said this passion to maintain these parks comes from pride in their work.

“I think we are blessed to have the greatest jobs you can have,” he said.

The day did not go without difficulties, however, as incoming rain threatened to cut their workday short that afternoon, but volunteers were still able to get a significant amount of work accomplished in the time they had.

“We have a caring community,” Mains said. “We have people who are willing to help and make a difference, and we welcome that.”