NYC It’s My Park Day: volunteer to spruce up your local park

The annual NYC It’s My Park Day is tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 20th, when thousands of New Yorkers come together to volunteer and celebrate their neighborhood parks and public spaces throughout the five boroughs.  It’s not too late to volunteer to rake leaves, clean up litter, add mulch to tree pits, painting fences and buildings, and so on.  With more than 150 NYC parks participating, you’re sure to find something to do near you, and many of the volunteer activities are suitable for kids.  Click here for the full schedule of projects and then just show up to participate — no signing up.  Many parks also are hosting free family events, including kayaking, dance performances and more. Volunteer activities range from horticulture to painting projects, along with a variety of free events, including kayaking, dance performance, historic house tours, face painting and more. It’s My Park Day activities are coordinated by local community groups, City Parks Foundation, and many divisions of the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, including Urban Park Rangers and Historic House Trust.