Free admission, volunteer opportunities at state parks Sept. 27

SOCIAL CIRCLE - Free admission, dozens of volunteer projects and family-friendly events await Georgia State Park and Historic Site visitors on "Your State Parks Day" set for Saturday, September 27. <br /> <br /> Sponsored by Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, it is Georgia's annual celebration of National Public Lands Day. <br /> <br /> Throughout the day, visitors can join volunteer projects such as re-routing a trail at Cloudland Canyon or invasive plant removal at Skidaway Island. Guests can also join activities such as fishing and paddling. To encourage participation, Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites will pay the regular $5 parking fee and historic site admission fees for all visitors that day. More than 60 participating locations may be found at www.GaStateParks.org/map.<br /> <br /> Georgia's Director of State Parks, Becky Kelley, said that volunteers are crucial to the park system, helping with everything from landscaping and trail maintenance to junior ranger programs for children.<br /> <br /> "We wouldn't be able to offer the activities and facilities that we do without our volunteers and Friends members," said Kelley. "Even those who come out for a few hours during Your State Parks Day are making a difference. Many have such a good time that they come back as regular volunteers."<br /> <br /> To see a complete list of events planned for "Your State Parks Day," visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/stateparks-day.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/8/278355