PEA RIDGE — FROM STAFF REPORTS

Almost exactly 150 years after the first shots of the Civil War were fired, another wave of volunteers is about to descend on America’s storied battlegrounds - only this array of dedicated men and women will be armed with gloves, pruners and shovels.

On Saturday, April 2, history buffs and preservationists from around the country will team up with the Civil War Trust to help restore America’s priceless battlefields, cemeteries and shrines.

Park Day, now in its 15th year, is an annual hands-on preservation event created by the Trust to assist local groups with the maintenance of Civil War sites.

This year, more than 100 sites in 22 states are expected to take part in the effort, with activities ranging from trash removal to trail building. In exchange for their hard work, volunteers receive T-shirts and learn the site’s history from local experts.

Volunteers are needed to restore a section of worm-rail fence, mulch orchards and maintain trails. For more information about Park Day at Pea Ridge National Military Park, contact Kevin Eads by phone at 451-8122 ext. 239, or by e-mail at kevin_ [email protected].

Pea Ridge National MilitaryPark preserves the site of and commemorates the March 1862 Civil War battle that helped Union forces gain control of Missouri. The park is located six miles east of Pea Ridge on U.S.

Highway 62.

WHAT: “PARK DAY” HISTORIC PRESERVATION WHEN: 8 A.M. TO NOON, SATURDAY, APRIL 2 WHERE: PEA RIDGE NATIONAL MILITARY PARK

VISITOR CENTER, 15930 U.S. HWY. 62, GARFIELD

News, Pages 1 on 03/30/2011