2013 Report for East Rock Park
Year
2013
Number of volunteers
22
Total volunteer hours
140
Number of events
7
Number of trees planted
0
Number of shrubs planted
0
Number of perennials planted
0
Yards compost spread
0.00
Summary
The Friends of East Rock Park's (FERP) inception is traced back four decades when a group of concerned citizens worked together to ward off a highway planned for the banks of the Mill River. Today the group identifies itself as a community and environmental advocacy group encouraging neighbors to meet each other, celebrate the environment and become stewards of the park. In collaboration with the City Parks Department and the East Rock Park Ranger, FERP volunteers remain active for much of the year helping to maintain this extensive and varied 425-acre park. Volunteer engagement in the park includes helping to weed invasive plants, maintain and repair trails, clean up trash, plant shrubs and perennials, and repair infrastructure. During the summer months, with the help of URI, volunteer activity picks up with a weekly work night followed by a pizza dinner. Additionally, for the past 5 summers FERP has hired a team of 6 youth interns who spend 5 weeks in the park learning about environmental stewardship while developing professional skills. Thanks to these efforts and the dedication of the group, the park is more welcoming, usable, and safe.
