The National Recreation and Park Association has announced the second year of its Heart Your Park Day of Service Initiative. The association is partnering with CITGO Petroleum Corporation, City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department and the Forest Preserves of Cook County in Cook County, Illinois.

"The NRPA looks forward to working with CITGO, the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department and the Forest Preserves of Cook County to offer corporate and community volunteers an opportunity to serve in local parks," said Karl Schrass, NRPA director of conservation. "Volunteer events help improve the resiliency of our parks and contribute to conservation efforts while building the future generation of environmental stewards."

 
Through the initiative, the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department and the Forest Preserves of Cook County will each host four volunteer service events that engage CITGO employees, as well as interested community members to help improve park spaces and build resiliency, according to the association.

"Safeguarding the environment for current and future generations is a key focus for CITGO," said CITGO general manager for government and public affairs, Larry Elizondo. "Through partnerships with organizations like the NRPA, CITGO can continue its commitment to environmental restoration and community service in areas we call home."

The Forest Preserves of Cook County is the recipient of NRPA's 2018 Innovation in Conservation Award. Volunteers will help improve wildlife habitat and stream corridors by removing brush and invasive species from Black Partridge Woods and Sagawau Canyon Nature Preserve, two local preserves near Lemont, Illinois.

Last year, the NRPA partnered with the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation Department to host four volunteer events in each city. The events engaged nearly 400 volunteers, impacted 44 acres, added 2,177 plants and removed 2,100 pounds of debris and invasive species, according to a statement released by the association.

The NRPA's Heart Your Park Day of Service program offers CITGO corporate employees an opportunity to serve alongside coworkers and community members as volunteers in local parks, while experienced park and recreation staff facilitate events identified as high priority needs. By engaging volunteers in conserving and restoring public park lands, the NRPA aims to provide an improved quality of life in local communities throughout the U.S.

For more information on Heart Your Park Day of Service: https://tinyurl.com/yyne2z8j.