ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- It won't be long before Elmira's Eldridge Park opens for the summer season.  Before then, there's a lot of work to be done to get the park ready.

On Saturday morning, volunteers took part in the first-ever lakeshore cleanup.  People helped to pick up any trash and debris that's accumulated around the lake, especially on the Eastern side.

Park officials say with fishing season approaching, and all the seasonal preparations coming up for the park's opening, it's wonderful to have the community's help.

"It feels amazing to have such a great community that's willing to come out and help us with the lake, it does get a lot of use as far as fishing, so there's debris left that we have to clean up. So we'd like to keep that under control," said Trisha Elwood, the general manager of Eldridge Park.

Opening night for Eldridge Park will be May 23rd, just in time for Memorial Day Weekend.  More cleanup events will be held in the coming weeks, to get the midway ready for the upcoming season.