The biggest volunteer project of the year returns to area parks on March 1 for It’s My Park Day. Organized by the Austin Parks Foundation, this annual event mobilizes an army of volunteers across the city, who put in as many hours in one day as a city crew does in an entire year.

This year, three volunteer projects near our neighborhood can use your help, and volunteers who register early will receive a T-shirt in addition to water, gloves and a snack. Some park projects also offer door prizes.

Please dress appropriately for the weather in closed-toed shoes and long pants, and bring a bottle for water.

If you’d like to volunteer, register online to join your neighbors at one of these area parks.

Heritage Oaks Park: Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. March 1 to mulch around the majestic oak trees. Click to enlarge. (Image from Google.)

Heritage Oaks Park

What: Spread mulch in the critical root zone of this park’s 400-year-old live oak trees.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain date: March 2)
Where: 21oo Parker Lane, at intersection with Windoak Drive

Mabel Davis Park: Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. March 1 for a park and pond cleanup. Click to enlarge. (Image from Google.)

Mabel Davis Park

What: Pick up trash around the trail and pond, and help remove invasive ligustrum trees.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 1 (rain date: March 2)
Where: 3427 Parker Lane

Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park: Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. March 1 for a cleanup near Krieg Fields. Click to enlarge. (Image from Google.)

Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park

What: Pick up trash along Country Club Creek and  remove invasive bamboo.
When: 9 a.m. to noon March 1 (rain date: March 2)
Where: 515 S. Pleasant Valley Road. Meet in the Krieg Fields parking lot, near the entrance to Country Club Creek Trail.
More information: Country Club Creek Trail cleanup