Get ready to grab a rake or put on some gardening gloves, because Philly's parks are calling for your care. Love Your Park Week has rolled around once more, and city folks are encouraged to give back to their green spaces. According to the official announcement on the City of Philadelphia, the 2024 celebration of local parks runs from May 11 through May 19, welcoming all hands on deck for various upkeep tasks.

This year's main events, mostly taking place on the Saturdays bookending the week, will see volunteers planting, pruning, and preparing parks for the sunny days ahead. With over 100 parks in the mix, there's no shortage of spots to spruce up. Love Your Park Week, according to the City of Philadelphia announcement, is a joint effort by the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, in alliance with the Park Friends Network consisting of over 130 local groups.

Prospective volunteers can view a list of participating parks to find one near them. From the basics of weeding to the artistry of planting flowers, there is a broad spectrum of activities to get involved in. Volunteering not only helps maintain the community's natural havens but also promises to be a fulfilling way to spend a day outdoors. The city's site touts volunteering during this week as a transformative endeavor for both people and parks.

For those unable to pitch in during the designated week, there is no shortage of alternative ways to show some love to Philly's green spaces. More than 140 Park Friends Groups host clean-ups and events all year round. "You will be making a difference in your neighborhood by creating a 'safer, cleaner, greener Philadelphia'," the city's site enthuses. Additionally, the Fairmount Park Conservancy hosts volunteer workdays on a regular basis and accepts donations to keep the parks in prime condition throughout the year.