On Saturday, members of Boy Scout Troop 33 look at plans to rope off an area of Morgan’s Grove Park that could potentially be in danger from a falling tree. From left are Scott Leonard, Denver Beckner, Liam Kradel, Christy Kessler, SCC President Jen Wabnitz and Ben Kessler. Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Despite cold temperatures and a few snow flurries, a large group of individuals turned out last Saturday morning to help get Morgan’s Grove Park ready for its official spring opening this Saturday.

Volunteers could be found all around the park doing every task imaginable — from painting fences to clearing brush and cleaning gutters to spray-washing playground equipment.

Several individuals could be seen wading knee-deep in the water as they worked to clear the park’s spring-fed stream of rocks, limbs and other debris.

Greg Heflebower was joined by Connor Herbert and Cole Davis, of Boy Scout Troop 42 in Charles Town. The three of them worked together in the cold water, attempting to dislodge rocks that were allowing debris to build up and clog the flow of the stream.

“We just came over because we like to help out,” Heflebower said, adding that he planned to speak with leaders of the Shepherdstown Community Club to determine if there were potential Eagle Scout project opportunities at the park that members of the troop could plan for the future.

Eric Newman clears the gutters of the pavilion at Morgan’s Grove Park on Saturday. Toni Milbourne

Shepherdstown Community Club President Jennifer Wabnitz was excited to hear the troop members’ question, as there are always projects and improvements needing to be done in the park. In previous years, many Eagle Scouts have contributed to the betterment of the park with their hard work. Their contributions can be seen named in the eagle painting on the outside of the pavilion at the park.

Others working hard on Saturday included Aidan Cameron, a member of Jefferson High School’s Key Club, who painstakingly painted the gate near the lower entrance of the park.

Eric Newman climbed the ladder to manually remove leaves from the gutter of the pavilion roof. He indicated that he and his family came out to help, because they enjoy the park and wanted to be a part of getting it ready for spring.

A project taken on by several members of Shepherdstown’s Boy Scout Troop 33 involved working with Wabnitz to fence off an area of the park that may be dangerous, should a long-standing tree fall.

“The tree is split and leaning. We don’t want to risk having visitors in the park in the area should it fall,” Wabnitz said of the area, which will be fenced off with rope, allowing individuals to retrieve balls or frisbees that may enter the area.

Visitors to the park’s opening this Saturday will receive free hot dogs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park pavilion, while supplies last.