MLK Day Work Day at Henderson Park!

"Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

We are so excited to welcome one and all to celebrate with us for a day of service in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 17, 2022.

Our task for the day is a continuation of a massive effort to remove the English ivy from pine trees located within the park. A recent survey of the park's grounds has been performed by students of the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. This November 2021 survey, which included boots-on-the ground inspection by the students as well as interviews with park users found that the English ivy is the number one invasive species out of eight surveyed to affect not only the actual health of our trees, but also the perception of the amount of invasives covering the park that users would like to see removed. By far, the use of mechanical removal, by hands and tools, is far preferred to the use of pesticides by the Park's patrons.

On Monday, please come to the Henderson Road entrance to the Park, at 2803 Henderson Road at 9 am to assist with cutting the vines at about waist-high, and then stripping those vines down to the ground, pulling them away from the tree. It is an activity that can be performed by almost anyone at any age, and the only tools needed are a pair of gloves, hand clippers, and a long screwdriver or pry bar to pull the vines away from the trees. If you have your own, feel free to bring them with you, or tools and gloves will be provided. Although weather dictates, long pants, closed toed boots or shoes and long sleeves are needed for protection as well.

We look forward to seeing you there! Drinks and snacks will be provided and, as mentioned before, so will gloves and tools. In Dr. King's honor, let us serve our community and our selves in making this place of serenity and beauty even more inviting to everyone!