All citizens are encouraged to join their likewise caring neighbors at Birmingham Park the morning of March 8 to make a difference -- one wayward branch, one piece of trash, one step at a time.

The occasion is the Birmingham Park Clean-up Day, an annual opportunity for community members to improve the 200-acre nature-lover's haven in northwest Milton. Once again, the City and the Milton Equestrian Committee are organizing this effort -- though anyone, young or old (humans, leashed dogs, and led horses included!), is welcome to come and contribute.

The clean-up starts at 8 a.m. by the park's main trailhead, which is accessible by turning onto 750 Hickory Flat Road (right behind Fire Station 43). Even if you can't make it that early, you can drop by anytime to pitch in. The more volunteers, the better, as we work to make this beloved natural park even cleaner, safer, and better for all!

To help us plan ahead, we’re asking people to "sign-up" in advance via this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FA9AB2FA5F5C34-55147868-birmingham. The City will provide drinking water and coffee for all our awesome volunteers.

Specific tasks that will be tackled that Saturday include blazing trails, hanging signage, and cleaning trails of debris as well as downed branches/trees. Participants can bring their own work gloves along with power or hand-operated tools like hedge trimmers, power saws (for fallen trees), and pole saws for wayward limbs.

There is one important caveat: This clean-up is weather-permitting to ensure the clean-up is as safe, effective, and well attended as it can be. And in March, it's been known to rain quite a bit in North Georgia, after all. We will let people know on the City's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/thecityofmiltonga/) if this clean-up has to be postponed.