Hickory, NC — Community members and staff spent the morning of Saturday, November 7, lending a hand at Bakers Mountain Park during the latest Park Stewardship Day. Organized by Visit Hickory in partnership with Catawba County Parks, Keep Catawba County Beautiful, Outdoor NC, and Leave No Trace, the morning brought volunteers together to help care for one of Catawba County's outdoor spaces.
Participants tackled two projects aimed at improving the park's appearance. The work included cleaning two prominent sections of the park's white perimeter fence near the entrance and completing a litter sweep along the entire stretch of Bakers Mountain Road. Together, these efforts made a visible difference and demonstrated what can be accomplished when the community comes together to care for shared spaces.
"Some of the most meaningful ways we can support our parks come down to simply showing up and lending a hand," said Elizabeth Sigmon, Marketing Manager for Visit Hickory. "It's encouraging to see community members and our partners give their time to these projects. Taking care of the places we enjoy today helps ensure they're ready to be enjoyed by the next person who visits, too."
The value of volunteer time extends beyond the work completed. Independent Sector estimates the value of a volunteer hour in North Carolina at $34.34. Through initiatives like Park Stewardship Days, community members and local partners contribute time and effort that help extend the capacity of park staff, make public resources go further, and support the care of the outdoor spaces that residents and visitors enjoy.
Park Stewardship Days are part of an ongoing effort to bring the community into the care and upkeep of local outdoor spaces. Launched in fall 2025, the Park Stewardship initiative brings volunteers and community partners together to support local parks through hands-on projects that enhance public spaces, promote environmental stewardship, and encourage responsible outdoor recreation.
With the fall events now complete, the initiative will return in early 2027 with two additional opportunities to get involved: February 20 at Riverbend Park and March 13 at Mountain Creek Park. Both events will take place from 9–11:30 AM, giving community members another chance to pitch in and help care for the outdoor spaces that make Catawba County a great place to spend time outside.
ABOUT PARK STEWARDSHIP:
Park Stewardship Days are made possible through a partnership between Visit Hickory, Catawba County Parks, Keep Catawba County Beautiful, Outdoor NC, and Leave No Trace. Together, these organizations create opportunities for residents and visitors to help care for local parks, preserve the natural spaces they enjoy, and promote responsible outdoor recreation throughout the region. To learn more about Park Stewardship Days and upcoming volunteer opportunities, click here.
CONTACT:
Maddy Phillips
Partnerships & Visitor Services Coordinator
Visit Hickory
828.322.1335
Maddy@visithickorync.com
