Hickory, NC — Visit Hickory partnered with Catawba County Parks, Keep Catawba County Beautiful, Outdoor NC, and Leave No Trace to host a Park Stewardship Day at St. Stephens Park on Saturday, October 17. The morning brought together volunteers and staff to care for the park’s garden and dog park area.

Volunteers tackled garden maintenance by pulling weeds, planting native perennials, and tidying up landscaped areas.  In the dog park, participants also trimmed and pruned along the fence line. With everyone pitching in, the group made a noticeable difference in the park’s appearance during the morning’s volunteer session.

“It's always encouraging to see what a group of volunteers can accomplish when they come together to care for a place that means so much to the community,” said Elizabeth Sigmon, Marketing Manager for Visit Hickory. “Our parks are an important part of what makes Catawba County a great place to visit and spend time outdoors. Park Stewardship Days give people a hands-on opportunity to make a difference, connect with these shared spaces, and help keep them enjoyable for everyone.”

“Park Stewardship Days are a great way to bring people into our parks in a different way and give them an opportunity to help care for the places they enjoy,” said Anna Koby, Community Engagement Specialist for Catawba County Parks. “It was great to see volunteers and our partners working alongside our staff at St. Stephens Park and tackling a variety of projects together. We’re grateful to everyone who came out to lend a hand, and we’re looking forward to continuing the series at our other parks.”

The October 17 event marked the start of the second rotation of Park Stewardship Days across the Catawba County Parks system. Launched in fall 2025, the 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.

The next Park Stewardship Day is scheduled for November 7, 2026, at Bakers Mountain Park, followed by two events in 2027: February 20 at Riverbend Park and March 13 at Mountain Creek Park. Each event offers another opportunity for community members to get involved and help care for the outdoor spaces enjoyed by residents and visitors throughout Catawba County.

 

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. Visit Hickory and Catawba County Parks look forward to continuing the initiative and creating more opportunities for community involvement. 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