In Land Park’s Tanglewood Forest, children often search for magical creatures behind the tiny doors at the base of the trees. Although a sprite or elf has not been found yet, they notice small chairs and items scattered around. Evidence of magic afoot!
In the “adult world,” there are also signs of magic in the park. One day, I’ll see a broken bleacher at Doc Oliver Field on Monday and by the end of the week – poof! it’s fixed and freshly painted!
While some might say, that’s just the city parks department doing its job, there is more to the magic here. Parks may provide some support, but City Parks, or YPCE, cannot manage the work it takes to maintain William Land Park on a regular basis. Budget cuts and low staffing numbers have made it an impossible task. They have help from a community of elves: The Land Park Volunteer Corps (LPVC).
I came across some LPVC folks at the outdoor amphitheater on a recent sunny afternoon. Gabriel Lopez, Forest Neff, and Bob Ream were installing and painting new wood benches. A little old beat-up Toyota filled with work tools close by. While Bob continued to sand a new bench, Forest and Gabriel agreed to talk with me for a few minutes. I asked what work the LPVC crew’s done for the park over the years, and this was their answer:
- Rebuilt every bench, bleacher, and dug-out in the park
- Installed 27 barbecue pits
- Built a new shed for the Pony Ride area. When a tree fell on the shed and the city couldn’t replace it, LPVC rebuilt it.
- Added canvas to help shade the working ponies. Every Saturday morning, a volunteer sets it up and takes it down every Sunday night.
- Installed two memorial benches by Doc Oliver Field and by the Golf Course. Money is raised by a private group then donated to the LPVC to manage the purchase and installation.
- Rebuilt a rotten, falling-down pergola by the pond.
- Built the granite benches at the Swansons Garden area (next to the zoo).
- Designed and planted Daffodil Hill (south of the Swanston Stream It’s blooming right now).
Looking ahead to this year, the LPVC team plans to help tackle the vandalized gazebo at the WPA rock garden. It’s been heavily tagged, which is heartbreaking to see. More maintenance and planting ideas are being discussed. The Land Park Volunteer Corps runs on private donations. Money helps pay for tools, materials, and lunch. For instance, the LPVC park clean-up days can cost $300 per event to feed hard-working volunteers! If you would like to donate to the LPVC or have questions about volunteering, reach out to Craig Powell at 916-718-3030 or email: ckpinsacto@aol.com. They welcome newly retired folks to volunteer regularly. For many years, City Parks has partnered with the Land Park Volunteer Corps in the background to ensure projects get done. Special improvements have raised the quality of life in the park and done it swiftly and cost-effectively. This kind of collaboration means those who come to celebrate family gatherings each weekend can enjoy a safer, better-maintained park. Rick Jennings and his staff are eager to get involved, too, and we look forward to seeing what will happen in the following months. Land Park Volunteer Corps members don’t expect awards or attention for their dedication. They love William Land Park and want to keep it nice for everyone. That’s the real magic of a volunteer heart. Next time you spot a little helper in the park, thank them for their support!
Included in photo: Forest Neff and Bob Ream
Article written by Kristina Rogers, Board Member and Communications Chair for the Land Park Community Association