Parks hope volunteerism blooms

For free, if you don't mind.

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is avidly seeking volunteers for its third annual cleanup of parks, beaches, and campgrounds next Saturday, April 25. The agency long known as a patronage haven, where lawmakers could get jobs for favored constituents and even their constituents' children, has 330 fewer employees at work this season at its campgrounds, beaches, and urban and state parks. The biggest hit came from the summer program, which hired students and has 40 percent fewer this year, said Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr.

At the same time, DCR expects a busy season at recreational areas as recession-weary families trade lavish trips for visits to area campgrounds, parks, and beaches. "Our usership was up last year significantly," Sullivan said. "We expect it will be up significantly again next year. Camping reservations are already 20 percent ahead of last year."

At DCR's Park Serve Day, volunteers will do everything from picking up litter and light maintenance to grooming trails or even building picnic tables at more than 50 parks from the Berkshires to Cape Cod.

Last year, more than 1,500 volunteers helped 57 parks statewide, planting 1,758 flowers and trees, collecting 17 tons of trash, and distributing 300 yards of mulch, according to DCR. They also emptied the parks of large rubbish, including a car engine, a refrigerator, and a washing machine, according to DCR.

For more information or to sign up at a park, log on to www.mass.gov/dcr/ps or call 617-626-4980.

STEPHANIE EBBERT