Landscape crews mowed the newly installed grass at Clark Park “A” today, a major step toward opening the section of the park that borders Baltimore Avenue, which has been fenced off since late last year.

The Friends of Clark Park wrote that one of the “yardsticks” for opening the park was two successful mows of the grass that had been laid down over the last few weeks. The trigger for opening the part will be the next cut. The fencing was scheduled to come down sometime in June. Now we will all be watching for the second cut, which will signal the park’s long-awaited opening.

Saturday is “Love Your Park Day” in Philadelphia. For most of us, I suspect that every day is love your park day, but this one is official. That means that volunteers are needed.

Volunteers are needed at Clark Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Projects include cleaning the peripheral areas of the park to get them ready for spring and putting mulch around tree bases, beginning with the trees near the shuffleboard court at 45th and Chester. If weather permits, park benches will get a coat of sealant.

Help is also needed at Malcolm X. Park for a general clean-up from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Barkan Park (50th & Spruce) from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Volunteers are also needed at Cedar Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help with the park gardens. Bring clippers and cutting shears if you have them. Other tools will be provided.