Volunteers throughout Georgia are teaming up with the American Battlefield Trust to aid in the maintenance and restoration of six Peach State battlefields and historic sites as part of the 25th annual Park Day — a nationwide, hands-on preservation event. Since its inception in 1996, Park Day has attracted volunteers of all ages and abilities bound by their dedication to give back to their communities and keep our nation’s heritage pristine.

Park Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 10, 2021, but as sites consider weather and local public heath guidelines, they may choose to participate in the event on an alternative date. Georgia volunteers will be joined by participants coast to coast in cleaning up and revitalizing historic sites in 27 states. Projects will take place chiefly outdoors and all sites will encourage volunteers to wear a mask that covers both mouth and nose, maintain six feet of social distance from other participants, make use of hand washing stations or sanitizer and resist sharing equipment. Volunteers will receive reusable Trust water bottles, and some sites will provide lunch or refreshments. A local historian may also be present to discuss the unique role of the site in our national story. Georgia volunteers interested in participating in Park Day are encouraged to contact the individual sites listed below.

Dalton Confederate Cemetery, Dalton, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Marvin Sowder at msowder@dalton.net
Volunteers will help clean and beautify the area by raking and removing brush. While a history of the cemetery will be provided, participants are asked to bring their own work gloves.

Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site, Fitzgerald, 10:00 a.m.
Contact: John Hughes at lithoet@gmail.com
Volunteers will help clear brush and maintain the site’s nature trail and park grounds, as well as tidy up the museum and shelter — and are asked to bring their own clippers and work gloves. Participants will be able to tour the museum throughout the event.

Kettle Creek Battlefield, Washington, 10:00 a.m.
Contact: Newton Chewning at wcjc1@aol.com
Volunteers will help in clearing brush, constructing a fence, and removing trash — and will receive an orientation to the battlefield. Participants are encouraged to bring work gloves, leaf blowers, trash bags, and rakes.

Prater’s Mill Historic Site, Dalton, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Praters Mill Historic Site at info@pratersmill.org
Volunteers will help by clearing brush, light landscaping, painting, planting, performing trail maintenance, removing trash, and doing general clean-up in and around structures. Tours of the historic mill will be available. Participants are encouraged to bring work gloves, shovels, and rakes.

Resaca Confederate Cemetery, Resaca, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: John Biddy at johnbiddy@bellsouth.net
Volunteers will help by raking leaves, mowing, weed-cutting, clearing deadfalls and debris, repairing headstones, trash removal, and other general clean-up. A historian will be on-site to provide background on the site. A hot dog lunch will be provided, but volunteers are asked to bring their own rakes, buckets, leaf blowers, and weed cutters.

Shoupade Park, Smyrna, 8:30 a.m.
Contact: Roberta Cook at RiverLineGA@gmail.com
Volunteers will be planting native shade and understory trees for landscaping purposes. Welcome orientation will include a brief history of the park’s Civil War past. Volunteers are asked to bring their own water and small hand pruners. The number of volunteers at Shoupade Park is limited to 25 and the minimum age for participation is 16; teenagers must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers must register by April 15 by contacting site organizer. (Note: This Park Day site is holding its event on Saturday, April 17, 2021)

For a complete list of participating Park Day sites and more information, visit www.battlefields.org/parkday. Volunteers can share their Park Day participation online using #ParkDay2021.

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today.  The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 53,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.