'Mower Gang' raises funds for parks

DETROIT, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Detroit's "Mower Gang," a group of citizens who have taken it upon themselves to spruce up the city's dilapidated parks, have scheduled a bike-race fundraiser.

Andy Didorosi, who is organizing the event at the Detroit Velodrome in Dorais Park with Mower Gang founder Tom Nardone, said the Oct. 16 "Thunderdrome" bike race will be free to the public and the $20 fee for racers will go toward fixing up the park, The Detroit News reported Tuesday.

"We're also going to donate half the proceeds to the Detroit Department of Parks and Recreation," Didorosi said.

The Mower Gang, which formed last summer, bills itself on Facebook as a "group of guerrilla reverse vandalizers."

Cyclists can register for the race at thunderdrome.com.