Organization of a clean-up effort — plus completion of work to refurbish and expand the fire-damaged Kids' Zone — will take place Saturday. Volunteers are needed for the clean up, which is being organized by Keep Big Spring Beautiful. According to organizers, the clean-up will begin at 9 a.m. and work on Kids' Zone should be finished sometime that evening.

“We thought it would be nice to get the park cleaned up along with the rebuilding of the Kids' Zone. I think the two should go hand in hand because we hope to have a lot of new visitors,” said Pat Simmons, founder of Keep Big Spring Beautiful.

The southwestern corner of Kids' Zone has been closed to the public since it was vandalized by fire in December. In the months since, various groups, organizations and individuals have donated funds for its repair and expansion. Work on the playground began Monday.

Those volunteering to help clean up the park should meet at the first pavilion past the Kids' Zone on Golf Course Road, accessible from Wasson Road, where they can pick up their bags and assignments. Simmons estimates 25 people will be needed to get everything finished by noon, though anyone who would like to work later is welcome to do so.   

A picnic of chips and sandwiches will be served at noon, Simmons said.

 Simmons scheduled the clean up, not only because of Kids' Zone, but to be a part of the Great American Cleanup — the nation's largest community improvement program sponsored by Keep America Beautiful. According to Simmons, “It's a clean-up throughout the states from March 1 through May 31.”

This is all part of Keep Big Spring Beautiful's plans for the park. Families, businesses, organizations or scouts have claimed each of the five pavilions to take care of. Simmons encourages others to volunteer to adopt a spot to keep it clean.

“There is so much that can be done. It was such a beautiful place,” Simmons said of the park, “and with a little work it can be again.”

For more information, contact Simmons at 263-4607.