Sunday, May 5 is NewtonSERVES, Newton’s annual day of service being administered through the Newton Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. Volunteer efforts are focused on cleaning and improving our parks, school grounds, open space areas, and conservation lands.
Newton Conservators is sponsoring four invasive removal events that day. Registration is strongly encouraged for participating. Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture Department is organizing NewtonSERVES and here is the official website: www.newtonma.gov/newtonserves. Here are the four Newton Conservators sponsored projects:
- Sunday, May 5, 2024, 9:00 am – Noon – NewtonSERVES at Cold Spring Park
- Sunday, May 5, 2024, 9:00 am – Noon – NewtonSERVES at Dolan Pond
- Sunday, May 5, 2024, 9:00 am – Noon – NewtonSERVES at Nahanton Park
- Sunday, May 5, 2024, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – NewtonSERVES at Houghton Garden
Come help us eradicate the soil-damaging invasive garlic mustard and other invasives from our open spaces. Wear long pants and bring garden gloves, sunscreen, a hat, water, and hand tools (a garden spade might be helpful). Long sleeves recommended. Garlic mustard and some other invasives will be put in large black plastic bags which will be left for special disposal. Trash will be gathered in clear plastic bags. There will be volunteer forms to sign at the event itself if you fail to pre-register, but ideally you should pre-register with Newton Parks, Recreation, and Culture. The official site for NewtonSERVES is at www.newtonma.gov/newtonserves. The deadline to register online ahead of time is Wednesday, May 1.
To register online as a volunteer, officially, first go to www.newtonmarec.com and sign in or create an account if you do not already have one for the many fine programs run by our Parks department.
Next you can go to the NewtonSERVES Volunteer Registration page at https://newtonma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30387
You’ll then be able to choose one of the projects by scrolling down going to their NewtonSERVES project page to complete the registration. Note there is no charge to sign up for NewtonSERVES. The registration process will include electronically signing a volunteer form.
To register as a volunteer, you must be 18 years of age or older. Volunteers under 18 years of age MUST be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers under 18 are not required to register but MUST be accompanied by a registered adult volunteer. Each volunteer, including minors, must have a signed Newton Serves Release Form as part of their registration
There is no rain date for the event and unless it’s pouring heavily or there is a thunderstorm, we will be out there. You do not have to come for the entire event but earlier is better.
