In Arlington, a squad of community-minded volunteers is rolling up their sleeves at O.S. Gray Natural Area, shaping up the 20-acre park to the delight of locals and nature buffs alike. The Friends of O.S. Gray, a non-profit pack, has their hands dirty maintaining the amenities, from clearing invasive plants to beefing up the walking trails with fresh mulch, their monthly community days rallying Arlingtonians to the cause, as reported by the City of Arlington, Texas.
Opened back in 2010, this green oasis at 2021 W. Abram St. isn't just trails and play areas, it's also a hub for free annual happenings that bring folks together, like the Backyard Bird Count and Star Party, and there’s this noteworthy Chalk the Walk event that gets people’s creative juices flowing. Kevin Donnovan from the Friends of O.S. Gray touted the area's volunteer spirit, pointing out to the City of Arlington, Texas that "The volunteerism in Arlington is great," adding that many others also pitch in alongside the committed cohort of about 10 regulars.
Among the ranks is Sarah Stearns, a volunteer since her high school years, she's made tending to the natural area part of her adult life, candorously declaring in an interview with the City of Arlington, Texas, "It’s nice to give back to the community where I grew up," she noted the satisfaction of seeing "tangible results" as a driving force for her continued involvement.
