Friends of South Whidbey State Park will hold its first work party next week at South Whidbey State Park.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17. A nature walk will follow.

Participants will aid park staff in deadheading the rhododendrons, trimming shrubs and cleanup at the park entrance. Maintenance of the park’s well-loved trails and beach cleanup are also scheduled.

Please bring a sack lunch and gloves and hand tools, such as clippers, loppers and hedge trimmers. Snacks and beverages will be provided by the recently created Friends of South Whidbey State Park.

The non-profit group, a partnership with the state park, formed last month to help raise cash and organize volunteer efforts.

Budget cutbacks by the Washington State Legislature have drastically reduced available funding and voluntary fees have not raised as much as hoped, resulting in park closures, staff layoffs and maintenance cuts.

For more information, email foswsp@gmail.com or visit Friends of South Whidbey State Park on Facebook.