Stories

Volunteers Make an Impact at St. Stephens Park

Published: May 19, 2026

Visit Hickory NC partnered with Outdoor NC, Catawba County Parks, and community partners to host a successful Park Stewardship Day at St. Stephens Park on Saturday, May 16. The event brought together 17 volunteers for a morning dedicated to giving back to one of Catawba County’s beloved outdoor spaces through hands-on beautification and restoration projects.

Volunteers worked alongside park staff to complete several projects focused on enhancing the park’s appearance and supporting its long-term ecological health. Efforts included spreading mulch near the playground area, clearing and disposing of branches and debris from a recently removed tree inside the dog park, and spreading pine straw behind the park office along the LITeracy Trail.

The stewardship event highlighted the community’s continued commitment to preserving and caring for local parks while creating a welcoming environment for visitors. Volunteers came together to support the shared goal of maintaining clean, accessible, and enjoyable outdoor spaces throughout Catawba County.

“Park Stewardship Days are such a meaningful way for people to connect with the parks they love while making a visible impact,” said Elizabeth Clark Sigmon, Marketing Manager for Visit Hickory. “St. Stephens Park is a special place for so many families, dog owners, and outdoor enthusiasts in our community. It was wonderful to see volunteers come together to help care for the park and support its long-term sustainability.”

Known for its one-acre off-leash dog park, St. Stephens Park has become a favorite gathering place for both locals and visitors. With a playground, cornhole area, agility equipment for dogs, a dedicated small dog play area, a paved LITeracy Trail, and a wooded one-third-mile hiking loop, the park offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities in Hickory.

The St. Stephens Park Stewardship Day was part of a larger stewardship initiative and partnership between Visit Hickory and Catawba County Parks focused on promoting sustainable outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship throughout the county park system. Across both the fall and spring seasons, stewardship events have taken place at all four Catawba County Parks, including Riverbend Park, Bakers Mountain Park, Mountain Creek Park, and St. Stephens Park.

Throughout the series, volunteers participated in projects ranging from trail improvements and landscaping to litter cleanup and habitat enhancement, demonstrating the impact community involvement can have on preserving public outdoor spaces.

This ongoing effort is made possible through collaboration between Visit Hickory, Catawba County Parks, Outdoor NC, and Keep Catawba County Beautiful. Together, these partners continue to create opportunities for residents and visitors to take an active role in preserving the natural spaces they enjoy while encouraging responsible outdoor recreation practices across the region.

Visit Hickory and Catawba County Parks look forward to continuing the partnership and creating more opportunities for the community to support and care for local outdoor spaces in the future.