A record number of volunteers turned out to help rebuild and clean-up the Country Club Creek Trail at Krieg Field in Southeast Austin Saturday, November 8, during the seventh annual Project: Build a Park.

The project was hosted through a partnership between Austin Community College and the Austin Parks Foundation.

“We had over 400 volunteers register this year,” says Cheryl Richard, director of Student Life. “This has been our biggest turn out and we are really proud of the effort our students made to beautify the trail.”

Close to 400 volunteers – made up of students, faculty, staff, friends, and family – divided into groups during morning and afternoon shifts to rebuild the trail, pick up trash, and remove non-native plants.

There was also a strong showing of ACC student clubs and organizations at the community service event.

“I see that ACC really does a lot for the environment and community,” says Conrad Nard, a first year ACC student. “I just wanted to help – I’m glad I could make it out today.”

The volunteers’ hard work was matched with equal amounts of fun as they listened and danced to music, enjoyed free food, and socialized with other do-gooders during breaks. The community service event also featured quirky contests such as finding the most unique object among the trash collected during the clean-up.

“I volunteered because it’s a good feeling to give a little bit of yourself back to the community,” says ACC student Breeka Aldridge. “It’s very fulfilling, and the time you give is worth it.”