Volunteers to tackle park upgrades at Redlands' 16th Annual Community Day of Service

REDLANDS, Calif. — The Redlands Service Club Council (RSCC) will host its 16th Annual Community Day of Service on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Sylvan Park, bringing together volunteers to complete a large-scale community improvement project.

Mayor Mario Saucedo announced the event at the City Council meeting on March 4, highlighting the longstanding partnership between the RSCC and the city. Each spring, the collaboration has resulted in significant enhancements across Redlands, including the construction of an outdoor amphitheater, new seating at Heritage Park, and the installation of 25,000 square feet of sod at a ball field in Israel Beal Park. Other past projects include rehabilitating the ponds at Ford Park and replenishing the Redlands Boulevard median with mulch.

Since its inception, the initiative has saved the city an estimated $975,000 in labor costs, with approximately 900 volunteers participating each year. “Collectively, that’s about 54,000 men, women, and children who have contributed over the past 15 years,” Saucedo said Tuesday.

RSCC President Shelly Stockton expressed gratitude for the city’s support, acknowledging both council members and staff for their role in facilitating volunteer work. “Although we provide thousands of hours of labor, it takes the support of the city and staff to make that work possible,” she said.

The RSCC was founded 17 years ago by community leaders, including George Barrage and Alan Griesemer, with the goal of uniting local service organizations to take on larger projects. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints later joined the effort, aligning its community service initiatives with the council.

This year’s project will mark a rare occasion in which all volunteers will work together at a single location. Typically spread across multiple sites, participants will instead focus their efforts at Sylvan Park, located on University Street between Colton Avenue and Park Avenue.

“We've got five projects this year,” RSCC member Judy Cannon told the City Council on Tuesday. “We'll be renovating the baseball diamond. Did you know there was a baseball diamond at Sylvan Park? We didn't know that, but there is one, and we will be making it look more like a baseball diamond.”

In addition to the baseball field renovation, volunteers will help rehabilitate walking paths, beautify the Rose Garden, repair the horseshoe pits, and complete painting projects throughout the park.

How to volunteer

Ready to roll up your sleeves and make a difference? Signing up for the 16th Annual Redlands Community Day of Service is easy - go to ServeRedlands.org.

Volunteers can check in at the picnic area, with all projects beginning at 9 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their own tools, including shovels, rakes, hoes, and gloves.

The Kiwanis Club will serve lunch at 11:30 a.m. at Sylvan Park.