Volunteer Opportunities
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.
Our 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.
Join Community Groups Involved with Parks
Volunteer at the Parks Department
Become a Shape Up New York fitness instructor
Find volunteer opportunities through NYC Service
Volunteer with the
Urban Park Rangers
Join the Special Events GreenTeam
Become a member of the Parks Greeter Corps
Help with Horticulture and Natural Restoration
GreenThumb
Urban Gardening
Greenbelt Native Plant Center
MillionTreesNYC Stewardship Corps
Other Ways to Help Parks
Watch It's My Park Videos About Volunteering
MillionTreesNYC
Video: Volunteers at Convent Garden
Video: Boost Mobile Rock Corps Volunteers at Pelham Bay
Upcoming Parks Department Volunteer Opportunities
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Add to Calendar
OutlookSep 4
Coffey Park Gardeners
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.An invitation to Red Hook and nearby individual residents to come out and weed, water,…
Location: Coffey Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sep 4
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sep 5
Monthly Clean-Up in Coffey Park with Red Hook Dog
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.Join the Red Hook Dog group to help keep Coffey Park clean and safe for the entire…
Location: Coffey Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sep 5
Kayaking at Valentino Pier
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.Enjoy kayaking with the Red Hook Boaters down at Louis Valentino Pier Park every…
Location: Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier (in Valentino Pier), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Sep 7
Partnerships for Parks Capacity Fund Grant Consultation
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.Sign up to learn about what kinds of projects qualify for Capacity Fund grants.…
Location: Partnerships for Parks Technical Assistance office, Manhattan
Cost: Free
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Sep11
Coffey Park Gardeners
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.An invitation to Red Hook and nearby individual residents to come out and weed, water,…
Location: Coffey Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sep11
Bronx Pedal & Paddle
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.A 12-15 mile bike ride along the Bronx River Greenway, followed by paddling trip down the…
Location: Concrete Plant Park, Bronx
Cost: there is a cost to paddle the Bronx river of $20.00 per person.
Sep11
Clean Up Along Brooklyn Greenway
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.Join us for a general clean-up of the park.
Location: Columbia and Union streets, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sep11
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Sep12
Kayaking at Valentino Pier
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.Enjoy kayaking with the Red Hook Boaters down at Louis Valentino Pier Park every…
Location: Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier (in Valentino Pier), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Sep15
Gowanus Dredgers: Canoe the Gowanus
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.Canoe the Gowanus Canal with the Gowanus Dredgers.
Location: 2nd Street Public Dock, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sep15
MillionTreesNYC Tree Care Workshop hosted by Queens Botanical Garden
6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.Since the MillionTreesNYC campaign started, over 375,000 trees have been planted across the…
Location: Queens Botanical Garden, Queens
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: Shoelace Park (in Bronx Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
Sep18
Coffey Park Gardeners
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.An invitation to Red Hook and nearby individual residents to come out and weed, water,…
Location: Coffey Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sep18
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sep18
Volunteer Clean Up Day
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.Help us keep the garden and grounds of Bartow Pell Mansion Museum looking beautiful. Roll…
Location: Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
Sep18
Coastal Clean Up Day at Manhattan Beach
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.Grab your flip flops and sunscreen and head to Manhattan Beach (Oriental Avenue at Hastings…
Location: Oriental Avenue at Hastings Street (in Manhattan Beach Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sep18
GreenThumb Workshop: 'That Tree Saved My Life' Game Show
11:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m.'That Tree Saved My Life' Game Show! Compete to win while learning about the many benefits…
Location: Maggie's Garden, Manhattan
Cost: Free
Sep18
GreenThumb Workshop: Hands-On Street Tree Care Clinic
12:45 p.m.–2:15 p.m.Get your hands a little dirty learning how to care for and beautify the street trees on…
Location: Maggie's Garden, Manhattan
Cost: Free
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sep19
Kayaking at Valentino Pier
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.Enjoy kayaking with the Red Hook Boaters down at Louis Valentino Pier Park every…
Location: Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier (in Valentino Pier), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Sep25
Coffey Park Gardeners
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.An invitation to Red Hook and nearby individual residents to come out and weed, water,…
Location: Coffey Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sep25
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sep25
International Costal Clean-up at Prospect Park Lake
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.Join nature lovers around the world as we clean up our shorelines. Meet at the Rustic…
Location: Ocean Ave (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sep25
Volunteer Day
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 Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sep26
Clean and Green Along Gowanus Canal
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.Join the Gowanus Canal Conservancy for clean-ups and plantings along the Gowanus Canal.…
Location: Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sep26
Kayaking at Valentino Pier
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.Enjoy kayaking with the Red Hook Boaters down at Louis Valentino Pier Park every…
Location: Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier (in Valentino Pier), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sep29
Gowanus Dredgers: Canoe the Gowanus
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.Canoe the Gowanus Canal with the Gowanus Dredgers.
Location: 2nd Street Public Dock, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Friday, October 1, 2010
Oct 1
Partnerships for Parks Capacity Fund Grant Deadline
6:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.Partnership for Parks’s Capacity Fund makes grants to community groups working in…
Location: Partnerships for Parks Technical Assistance office, Manhattan
Cost: Free
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Oct 2
Coffey Park Gardeners
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.An invitation to Red Hook and nearby individual residents to come out and weed, water,…
Location: Coffey Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Oct 2
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Oct 3
Monthly Clean-Up in Coffey Park with Red Hook Dog
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.Join the Red Hook Dog group to help keep Coffey Park clean and safe for the entire…
Location: Coffey Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Oct 9
Coffey Park Gardeners
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.An invitation to Red Hook and nearby individual residents to come out and weed, water,…
Location: Coffey Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Oct 9
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Oct 9
GreenThumb Workshop: 'That Tree Saved My Life' Game Show
11:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m.'That Tree Saved My Life' Game Show! Compete to win while learning about the many benefits…
Location: Euclid 500 Block Association (in Euclid Garden), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Oct 9
GreenThumb Workshop: Hands-On Street Tree Care Clinic
12:45 p.m.–2:15 p.m.Get your hands a little dirty learning how to care for and beautify the street trees on…
Location: Euclid 500 Block Association (in Euclid Garden), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Oct13
Gowanus Dredgers: Canoe the Gowanus
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.Canoe the Gowanus Canal with the Gowanus Dredgers.
Location: 2nd Street Public Dock, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Oct16
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Oct16
Red Hook Community Farm Harvest Festival
12:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.Join us for a celebration of urban agriculture, youth empowerment, and sustainable living!…
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Oct17
Halloween Harvest in Old Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.Celebrate Halloween and the Harvest of Old Brooklyn at the Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum! Bring…
Location: Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum (in M Fidler-Wyckoff House Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Prior to October 17: $5 for adults | $3 for children under the age of 12, and seniors (reservations open on October 1) On October 17: $8 for adults | $5 for children under the age of 12, and seniors
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Oct23
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Oct23
Clean and Green Along Gowanus Canal
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.Join the Gowanus Canal Conservancy for clean-ups and plantings along the Gowanus Canal.…
Location: Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Oct30
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Oct31
Thriller on the Bronx River
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Canoe through the Bronx River Forest, past the Botannical garden and end at the Bronx Zoo.
Location: Olinville Playground (in Bronx River Parkway), Bronx
Cost: $20
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Nov 6
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Nov 6
GreenThumb Workshop: 'That Tree Saved My Life' Game Show
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.'That Tree Saved My Life' Game Show! Compete to win while learning about the many benefits…
Location: Wanaqua Garden, Bronx
Cost: Free
Nov 6
GreenThumb Workshop: Hands-On Street Tree Care Clinic
12:45 p.m.–2:15 p.m.Get your hands a little dirty learning how to care for and beautify the street trees on…
Location: Wanaqua Garden, Bronx
Cost: Free
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Nov 7
Monthly Clean-Up in Coffey Park with Red Hook Dog
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.Join the Red Hook Dog group to help keep Coffey Park clean and safe for the entire…
Location: Coffey Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Nov13
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Nov20
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Nov27
Added Value
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Join us at Red Hook Community Farm to learn about sustaining a healthy, edible garden!
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Feb 1
Partnerships for Parks Capacity Fund Grant Deadline
6:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.Partnership for Parks’s Capacity Fund makes grants to community groups working in…
Location: Partnerships for Parks Technical Assistance office, Manhattan
Cost: Free