Doing my part, no matter how small, to save a park

Rolling down that hill...walking the trails...admiring the waterways...and snacks at the Pro Shop. So many weekends we've spent at Greynolds Park enjoying all it has to offer and now, they're fighting to keep it's beauty intact, especially the waterways and the abundant wildlife they attract.The Save Greynolds Park Committee is working to stop the development of a high-rise hotel and mixed-use project planned just blocks away that will encroach on the lush 249-acre urban preserve. When I found out they were planning a clean-up of the park (even if it was on a muggy, sunny August morning), I immediately signed up.It was a great experience. These volunteers are passionate about this project and I was going to do my part to help save this gem, a place where my family and I have created so many memories. I can't tell you how many times we've told our friends we spent the weekend at Greynolds who have then enthusiastically shared a warm childhood memory of time spent there.So I set off with garbage bag in hand, in the sweltering heat, to clean up this beautiful haven. Along the way I encountered an adorable bird pecking at a tree, a raccoon that followed me around through my newly-discovered spot Squirrel Hollow Trail and a group of high schoolers having a blast playing football.What did I collect in my bag? Way too many Corona extra bottle caps, it seems like the beer of choice at Greynolds Park, along with the remnants of a McDonald's breakfast consisting of several empty creamer cups, the coffee cup and the bag they all came in. And unfortunately way more straws, plastic bags and plastic wrappers than I care to remember.When I'd had enough of the heat, I made my way back to the boathouse to turn in my bag. There, I encountered several of the other volunteers who had joined in the effort, including a teacher from a nearby school who had brought several of his students along. I sat and chatted with them for a while, not wanting to leave the beautiful park but knowing I had lots of errands to run. So, I said goodbye and as I walked to my car knew that I'd be the first one to sign up for the next clean-up.Even though it didn't seem like much, it felt good to do my part.