As a rolling stone gathers no moss, with the arrival of spring, park benches and signs, hillsides and trails were also stripped of their burgeoning detritus this past weekend.

Volunteers gathered at Lake Sawyer Regional Park to lend a hand, or a hoe, in their annual effort to keep the park picturesque.

The Lake Sawyer Park Foundation led about 15 locals who faced the less-than-fair weather in honor of Earth Day, which is observed annually on April 22, but was celebrated by the foundation on Saturday, April 24. The group spent a few hours cleaning signs and benches, and clearing away invasive plants including blackberry and Scotch broom.

Working in partnership with the city of Black Diamond, the annual clean-up event helps keep invasive plants at bay, trails accessible and common areas clean. Visitors to the park are encouraged to leave no trace, properly dispose of pet waste and obey signs for parking and private property.

If you haven’t been out to the park before, hitch up your hiking boots and explore some of the many trails that lead from Lake Sawyer north to SE 288th Street and east to highway 169. A map is available at the parking area kiosk at 31500 Lake Sawyer Road SE.

ABOUT THE LAKE SAWYER PARK FOUNDATION

A grassroots tax-exempt organization, the LSPF is made up of volunteers who work in partnership with the City of Black Diamond to raise money and awareness on behalf of Lake Sawyer Regional Park. Its mission is to seek out opportunities and promote efforts that support this beautiful and unique space.

To learn more about the LSPF or to get involved, check out our website at lakesawyerparkfoundation.org or visit our Facebook page.