THE WEEKEND: Lots of Parks to Appreciate, Including Central Meadow

Get a little dirty this weekend.

In University Place and elsewhere, volunteers will be dedicating their time at area parks, in celebration of Parks Appreciation Day.

There's also a fun run and a spring fair. If there are any activities or events that we've missed, let us know in the comments below.

Sounds like a good weekend to be outside. Check it out:

Parks Appreciation Day at Central Meadow

• When/Where: 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 21, at at Chambers Creek Properties in University Place
• Why Go: In honor of , volunteers will spread bark, prune trees and shrubs, pull weeds, pick up trash, and plant flowers and trees. This marks the 11th year that people throughout the county have come together to do some spring cleaning at local parks. Last year's Parks Appreciation Day attracted 2,500 volunteers.
• Pricing: No registration necessary, just show up at the park and join the other volunteers.

• When/Where: 8 a.m. Saturday, April 21, on the corner of Grand Avenue and Ruston Way.
• Why Go: Join Point Ruston as it presents one of the flattest, fastest and most scenic 5K races in Western Washington. The race will celebrate the long-awaited grand re-opening of the new and improved Ruston Way. The race starts and finishes at the corner of the new Grand Avenue and Ruston Way. It runs along Commencement Bay and features views of the Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier, the Cascades and the Olympic Mountains.
• Pricing: Registration is $30 by April 19 and $35 on race day. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Tacoma Waterfront Association and the YWCA Pierce County.

• When/Where: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 21, at .
• Why Go: Join John Riegsecker and Diane Yorgason-Quinn of the Tahoma Audubon for a field trip to a local birding hot spot featured in the brand new Puget Loop of the Great Washington Birding Trail at Fort Steilacoom Park! Enjoy this freshwater oasis in the heart of the urban area at the very beginning of the neotropic bird migration.
• Pricing: Free.

• When/Where: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Fort Steilacoom Park, Harry Todd Park, American Lake Park and Wards Lake Park.
• Why Go: Parks Appreciation Day is a joint celebration of Earth Day, Arbor Day and National Parks Week all rolled into one. This is your chance to join other volunteers and help make a difference in your own neighborhood. This year, restoration projects are being held at , , and . By volunteering at this event you will be providing a much needed service to your community. You can even mark it off as your "good deed" for the month!
• Pricing: No registration necessary, just show up at either park and join the other volunteers.

• When/Where: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, April 20-22, at the Puyallup Fair Grounds.
• Why Go: Celebrate spring this weekend by visiting the 23rd annual Spring Fair in Puyallup. This is the biggest celebration of spring around, and offers family fun and great values for all ages.
• Pricing: $9 for adults, $7 for students (6-18) and kids 5 and under get in free.

• When/Where: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 21, in the Proctor District of North Tacoma.
• Why Go: Come out for the 51st annual Junior Daffodil Parade in the historic Proctor District in the north end of Tacoma. Over 75 youth groups representing the Greater Puget Sound Area will proudly march before a crowd of thousands, rain or shine!
• Pricing: Free.