RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Volunteers arrived with energy and enthusiasm to serve their community at Cordova Recreation and Park District’s Day of Service events on Saturday, May 5. Over the span of only a couple of hours, each group made a big difference at both Hagan and Rosemont Community Parks.

Rosemont community members, with guidance and donations from the Sacramento Tree Foundation, planted eight trees that will grow to provide shade for future park-goers. Community member Gary Vorce and his planting crew named their tree ‘Five, Five, Fifty-Five.’ It commemorates the date the tree was planted, May 5, and – incidentally on the same day – Vorce’s fifty-fifth birthday.

“Being a part of the community truly makes your community home. It means a lot to me to work side-by-side with my neighbors and to add to the scenic beauty of the parks. Years from now, the families that planted a tree can bring future generations to the tree they planted and named,” he said.

Another tree was named ‘Zara’ after a young woman that helped to plant it. Yet another was given the moniker ‘The Hughes’ Tree’ after the family of seven that worked together cheerfully to plant it.

At Hagan Community Park, community members spread throughout the park to collect trash and to apply fresh paint to roads and signs. Mom, Katia, worked with her daughter, Sheccid, to repaint the road that serves as an entrance to the park. “I want my kids to know what it is to give back and to be part of the community,” Katia shared.  

Though the District has held Day of Service events in past years, this year was special. It offered those involved the opportunity to celebrate the District’s 60^th birthday by giving our parks the gift of their care. Thank you Cordova Recreation and Park District community members, we are thankful!