ASU CARES continues its community service promise

ASU CARES is partnering with the City of Mesa to enhance Park of the Canals on Saturday, March 31. ASU students, staff, faculty and alumni are encouraged to volunteer for this one-day project and help revitalize this historical city park.

In 1878, explorers in Mesa discovered the Hohokam's abandoned canals that were used to develop an irrigation system. Evidence of the canals can be seen today at the 31-acre Park of the Canals. This is one of the only areas in the Valley where prehistoric canals can be observed. The park also boasts a desert botanical garden featuring vegetation from four different desert regions and a large playground area for children. ASU CARES will help improve the park’s facilities, including the playground and trails along the canals.

Rain or shine, volunteers will meet at a designated site in the park and work in teams to complete several improvement activities (listed below). Tools will be provided for all assignments. Volunteers should wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes, sunglasses and/or safety goggles and bring sunscreen.

Improvement activities include:

• Painting
• Trimming overgrown vegetation
• Removing litter from playground and trails
• Repair botanical garden equipment and replace vegetation
• Cleaning of common areas
• Building a linear trail along canals