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Emily Tifft

With college admissions becoming increasingly difficult each year, high school students are trying new ways to set themselves apart and gain admission to their top schools by volunteering. St. Louis Park created the Beautify The Park program, aiming to develop new volunteer opportunities and initiatives to create a healthier local environment for the community.

Junior Grace Pelowitz volunteers building houses and at her local library said she feels the Beautify the Park program is a great way to get students volunteering.

“People who don’t typically volunteer will hear about this program and become inspired to help the community,” Pelowitz said.

St. Louis Park Environmental Coordinator Jim Vaughan said he believes an improvement may be made to the community through small individual efforts.

“We can help St. Louis Park by just picking up trash from the streets,” Vaughan said.

A wide range of volunteering opportunities are available for individuals, including: Adopt-A-Park or garden, donating a memorial tree or bench, recycling and other citizen involvement opportunities to make overall improvements to the city of St. Louis Park.

“Volunteering is a great way to contribute to the community in some way, especially if you’re concerned about the environment,” Vaughan said.

Another way for volunteers to participate is by sharing their knowledge on particular topics with children from first grade all the way through high school. These topics range from recycling to sustainable landscaping to fire chemistry.

“Our volunteers are important because the paid staff is able to put their efforts elsewhere,” Vaughan said.

People with knowledge in engineering and other special skills are sought out for volunteer jobs. These volunteers have the opportunity to fix and maintain the waterfalls and plant and water trees in the Westwood Hills Nature Center.

In an attempt to improve rates of recycling the local government implemented yellow bins in 45 out of the 52 parks around the city. These bins are used for recyclable materials such as plastic and aluminum and glass containers.

Recycling Coordinator for the parks Rick Beane recycles 26 tons of plastic and aluminum cans annually with this system.

“A great change can be made by using your local recycling facilities,” Beane said.

St. Louis Park’s local government has introduced new ways for the community to reach out and volunteer in an effort to improve the environment through recycling and educating the public.