MARYSVILLE — Volunteers faced gray skies and a chilly drizzle when they worked at Ebey Waterfront Park May 14, but their goal was to help get Marysville’s downtown ready for summer.

The Marysville branch of Keller Williams Realty brought more than 40 employees, plus representatives of vendors including Final Phase Inspection, Guild Mortgage, Gosser Team and R.J. Barton Relocation Services, to refurbish the park’s playground and green spaces.

Mary Nemeth, leader of Keller William’s Culture Committee, explained that they’d prepared for their annual “Red Day” for more than a month with Mike Robinson, parks maintenance manager for the city.

“It’s our first time at this site, and we’re really excited to be part of the rejuvenation of this area,” Nemeth said. “There was a statue that was stolen from here, and they’re looking to put something new there, so we want to make that spot attractive.”

Volunteers used 20 yards of beauty bark and another 20 yards of cedar plate chips to fill in the beds around the playground, trees and shrubs.

“A lot of people still don’t realize that this park is even here, or if they do, they think it’s just a boat launch,” Nemeth said, as volunteers pressure-washed the boat ramp, to clear away mud deposited by tides over the winter.

“We’re always focused on this area, as a gateway to Marysville, so we look for opportunities to work with community groups large enough to work on it,” Robinson said. “Our public works staff is already picking up litter daily in the downtown area, especially with the Spray Park opening up next weekend, so it’s nice to see all these enhancement efforts paying off.”