South Whidbey State Park lovers take note: a volunteer work party to help spruce up the park in time for its Memorial Day opening is this weekend.

The Friends of South Whidbey State Park and anyone else who wants to help will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 21 at the park. The effort will continue until the work is done or by noon.

“Our principal focus is to clean up day-use areas, particularly picnic areas, restroom perimeters, selected campsites, and some frequently used trails,” said Ted Brookes, the group’s work party coordinator in a news release. “One of our primary targets will be the parking lot and picnic area just to the left of the park entrance.”

Brookes said the effort will require “a sizable volunteer turn out.”

“The clean-up tasks at hand will essentially require a ‘full court press’ throughout a major portion of the park, and that translates into lots of enthusiastic workers organized into teams to address specific sites,” he said.

Volunteers should dress appropriately for the weather and bring a water bottle for hydration.

Work shoes or boots and garden gloves are also recommended, and participants are encouraged to bring leaf rakes, garden clippers and loppers as tools are limited.