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About 600 volunteers improved Ford Park with planting, landscaping and cleanup during Redlands’ annual Day of Service.
REDLANDS, Calif. – Hundreds of volunteers signed up for the 17th Annual Redlands Community Day of Service helping the City of Redlands finish various jobs in and around Ford Park on Saturday morning, March 14th.
Redlands Service Club Council’s three major local organizations lead the efforts: The Church of the Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, The Kiwanis Club of Redlands and The Rotary Club of Redlands. Another large group included college students from University of Redlands.
From the first Community Day of Service 18 years ago (the event was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic), volunteers have helped the city of Redlands on various sites across the city. Some years renovation projects run at several different city sites; this year the focus was on one site only, Ford Park.
In record time and ahead of schedule people planted shrubs and trees, installed new granite and laid sod adjacent to the Dog Parks and in the Boy Scout area. The hillsides adjacent to the two ponds had hundreds of rosemary bushes planted by volunteers.
A handful of larger trees were planted in the grassy area between the ponds and Redlands Blvd, that was also the gathering point for volunteers after their hard work was done.
Perimeter rocks along the ponds were moved primarily by the young college students creating an efficient chain. At a later time, the city will plant the pond sides with flowers and relay perimeter rocks.
Free lunch consisting of hot dogs, burgers including veggie burgers with a side of chips and water was served by the Kiwanis Club of Redlands half an hour ahead of schedule. The Grove High School Jazz Band entertained at noon and the Redlands Japanese Cultural Center provided hands-on activities for the volunteers as well.
More people signed up this year than in previous years. About 400 community members and 200 University of Redlands students. Volunteers ranged from toddlers to seniors, light to hard work was available for all age groups.
Within a couple of hours, kids were rolling in the newly laid grass, people were hanging out next to the planted trees and the pond sites looked fresh and clean.
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