Volunteer Opportunities
How to Get Involved
Volunteering in New York City Parks is a great way for New Yorkers to give back to their communities. You can join community groups, participate in recreational programming, or work in the parks planting and maintaining the city's greenspaces.
Parks Volunteering Events Calendar is a great way to get started pitching in today.
Below you will find a listing of some Volunteer Opportunities in NYC Parks.
Joining Community Groups Involved with Parks
Volunteering at
the Parks Department
Volunteer with the
Urban Park Rangers
Join the Special Events GreenTeam
Horticulture
and Natural Restoration
Greenstreets
GreenThumb
Urban Gardening
Greenbelt Native Plant Center
MTNYC Stewardship Corps: Adopt-a-Tree
Volunteering in New York City
Watch It's My Park Videos About Volunteering
Volunteers at Convent Garden
Boost Mobile Rock Corps Volunteers at Pelham Bay
Other Ways to Help Parks
Contribute to Parks
Support Your Park
Upcoming Parks Volunteer Opportunities
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Mar20
Forest Stewardship Volunteering
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.Enjoy the outdoors and be a steward of your local natural areas! To assist the ongoing…
Location: Conference House Park, Staten Island
Category: Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Mar20
Greenbelt Native Conservancy Tree Stewardship Workshop
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.Since the MillionTreesNYC campaign started, over 315,000 trees have been planted across the…
Location: Blood Root Valley (Greenbelt), Staten Island
Category: Education, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Mar20
Forest Stewardship Volunteering
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.Enjoy the outdoors and be a steward of your local natural areas! To assist the ongoing…
Location: Conference House Park, Staten Island
Category: Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Mar21
Tompkins Square Greenmarket Textile Recycling
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.Did you know that 5.7% of NYC's residential waste is textiles, yet they are 100%…
Location: Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Mar21
Friends' Committee Spring Cleanup
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.The Friends Committee of the Fort Tryon Park Trust invites all lovers of Fort Tryon Park to…
Location: Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Mar23
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Mar28
Tompkins Square Greenmarket Textile Recycling
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.Did you know that 5.7% of NYC's residential waste is textiles, yet they are 100%…
Location: Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Mar30
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Mar31
Forest Stewardship Volunteering
2:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.Enjoy the outdoors and be a steward of your local natural areas! To assist the ongoing…
Location: Conference House Park, Staten Island
Category: Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Apr 3
Park Pick-Up
11:00 a.m.Do a good deed in your community by helping to clean up your park. Those who need volunteer…
Location: Blue Heron Park Preserve, Staten Island
Category: Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Apr 4
Tompkins Square Greenmarket Textile Recycling
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.Did you know that 5.7% of NYC's residential waste is textiles, yet they are 100%…
Location: Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Apr 6
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Apr 7
Forest Stewardship Volunteering
2:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.Enjoy the outdoors and be a steward of your local natural areas! To assist the ongoing…
Location: Conference House Park, Staten Island
Category: Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Apr 7
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Tree Stewardship Workshop
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.Since the MillionTreesNYC campaign started, over 315,000 trees have been planted across the…
Location: Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Category: Education, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Apr 8
MillionTreesNYC Tree Stewardship Workship
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.Since the MillionTreesNYC campaign started, over 315,000 trees have been planted across the…
Location: Greater Astoria Historical Society (35-20 Broadway, 4th Floor)
Category: Education, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Friday, April 9, 2010
Apr 9
Mugwars!
1:00 p.m.Join a corps of dedicated volunteers in helping to wage a season-long war on invasive…
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center, Marine Park (East 33rd Street and Avenue U)
Category: Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Apr10
Forest Stewardship Volunteering
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.Enjoy the outdoors and be a steward of your local natural areas! To assist the ongoing…
Location: Conference House Park, Staten Island
Category: Kids, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Apr10
Spring Cleaning
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.Join us for spring cleaning in Prospect Park! Participate with our dynamic volunteers…
Location: Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Category: Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Apr10
Forest Stewardship Volunteering
2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.Enjoy the outdoors and be a steward of your local natural areas! To assist the ongoing…
Location: Conference House Park, Staten Island
Category: Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Apr11
Tompkins Square Greenmarket Textile Recycling
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.Did you know that 5.7% of NYC's residential waste is textiles, yet they are 100%…
Location: Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Apr13
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Apr15
Forest Stewardship Volunteering
2:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.Enjoy the outdoors and be a steward of your local natural areas! To assist the ongoing…
Location: Conference House Park, Staten Island
Category: Kids, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Apr17
Forest Park Adventure Club Registration
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.The Forest and Highland Park Administration will be holding the first Forest Club Adventure…
Location: Forest Park, Queens
Category: Athletic Events, Must See Events, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Apr17
MillionTreesNYC Tree Stewardship Workship
2:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.New street trees are coming! MillionTreesNYC is a citywide program with a goal to plant and…
Location: Broadway Library (40-20 Broadway, Long Island City)
Category: Education, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Apr18
Tompkins Square Greenmarket Textile Recycling
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.Did you know that 5.7% of NYC's residential waste is textiles, yet they are 100%…
Location: Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Apr18
Clean Up Our Earth Day
10:00 a.m.Do your part for Earth Day and help clean up the park! Dress for the weather and bring…
Location: Morningside Park, Manhattan
Category: Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Apr18
April Is “Keep America Beautiful” Month
11:00 a.m.Get your hands dirty as you help us keep Fort Greene one of the most beautiful parks in the…
Location: Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn
Category: Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Apr18
Forest Stewardship Volunteering
2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.Enjoy the outdoors and be a steward of your local natural areas! To assist the ongoing…
Location: Conference House Park, Staten Island
Category: Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Apr20
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Apr24
Hands On New York Day 2010
9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Give New York City a good spring greening and raise critical funds for New York Cares on…
Location: 70 parks, gardens, and other public spaces throughout the five boroughs
Category: Must See Events, Volunteer Events
Cost: $20 per volunteer
Apr24
MillionTreesNYC Spring Planting Day
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.Help make NYC greener and greater by volunteering to plant trees citywide! Planting…
Location: Locations Citywide
Category: Must See Events, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Apr25
Tompkins Square Greenmarket Textile Recycling
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.Did you know that 5.7% of NYC's residential waste is textiles, yet they are 100%…
Location: Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Apr27
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Apr28
Volunteer Information Session
6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.Find the perfect project for you! Learn about a wide range of volunteer opportunities and a…
Location: Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Saturday, May 1, 2010
May 1
Amazing Bronx River Flotilla
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join a flotilla of canoes and kayaks that will make their way down the Bronx River to…
Location: Please register for further details.
Category: Athletic Events, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
May 4
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
May11
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Saturday, May 15, 2010
May15
New York Botanical Garden: Tree Stewardship Workshop
2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.Since the MillionTreesNYC campaign started, over 315,000 trees have been planted across the…
Location: Padre Plaza Success Garden (corner of St. Anns Avenue and 139th Street)
Category: Education, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
May18
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
May25
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Jun 1
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Jun 8
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Jun12
Learn to Ride Bike Clinic For Adults
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.This beginner's clinic will teach you the basis of balancing along the river, and talk with…
Location: Concrete Plant Park, Bronx
Category: Athletic Events, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Jun15
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Jun19
New York Botanical Garden Tree Stewardship Workshop
12:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.Since the MillionTreesNYC campaign started, over 315,000 trees have been planted across the…
Location: El Flamboyan Community Garden (Tinton Avenue between East 149th and 150th streets)
Category: Education, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Jun22
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Jun26
Bronx River Festival
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Come and enjoy a beautiful day at the Bronx River. There will be games, canoe rides, live…
Location: River Park, Bronx
Category: Cultural, Kids, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Jun29
Volunteer Gardening
7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m.Come out on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to help the Cobble Hill…
Location: Cobble Hill Park, Brooklyn
Category: Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Jul10
Bronx River Upper River Run
9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Canoe through Bronx River Forest, the Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo. For the general public
Location: This event requires registration. Please visit www.bronxriver.org or call (718) 430-4665
Category: Athletic Events, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: $20
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Aug28
Bronx River Community Paddle
9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Get to know your stretch of the river at this community paddle.
Location: Please visit www.bronxriver.org
Category: Athletic Events, Kids, Nature, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Sep 4
Bronx River Ramble
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.Walk through time and experience the beauty of the Bronx River as you learn about the…
Location: Please visit www.bronxriver.org
Category: Athletic Events, Education, Kids, Nature, Tours, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Sep18
Learn to Ride Clinic for Youth
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.This beginners' clinic will teach you the basics of balancing, starting, stopping, and…
Location: Bronx River Parkway, Bronx
Category: Athletic Events, Kids, Volunteer Events
Cost: Free