Volunteer

Do you want to give back to your parks? NYC Parks and our hundreds of partners hold organized events throughout the year asking New Yorkers to pitch in and paint, clean, rake, and generally take care of our city's great and vast park system. Groups and individuals are welcome at volunteer events across the city.

Looking for more volunteer opportunities? Reach out to one of our many partner organizations, or visit Partnerships for Parks, a public-private partnership between NYC Parks and City Parks Foundation that manages our network of volunteers.

Volunteer Events

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Oct23

It's My Park at Cobble Hill Park

at Congress Street and Clinton Street (in Cobble Hill Park), Brooklyn

7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Volunteer with Cobble Hill Association to beautify Cobble Hill Park.
Free!

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Oct24

It's My Park at Westerleigh Park

at Westerleigh Park Gazebo (in Westerleigh Park), Staten Island

5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Westerleigh Parks Coalition to clean and beautify Westerleigh Park.
Free!

Oct24

Community Connections 2019: An Evening of Networking for Community Park Groups

at Educational Alliance, Manhattan

6:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Join us for a fun evening of networking with other NYC green space enthusiasts, as well as NYC organizations and agencies with resources to share. Enjoy refreshments on the roof deck,…
Free!

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Oct26

It's My Park at Marcus Garvey Park Dog Run

at Marcus Garvey Park Dog Run (in Marcus Garvey Park), Manhattan

7:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come volunteer with the Marcus Garvey Park Dog Run Group to clean up and spread wood chips.
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at McCaffrey Playground

at Mccaffrey Playground (in McCaffrey Playground), Manhattan

8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the new Friends of McCaffrey Playground at our first ever cleanup and planting at McCaffrey Playground. All are welcome!
Free!

Oct26

Fall Stewardship Day: Pelham Bay Forest Restoration

at Rodman's Neck Parking Lot (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will learn how to install deer guards to protect young trees in Pelham Bay Park.
Free!

Must See
Event

Oct26

It's My Park at Fort Independence Playground

at Fort Independence Park House (in Fort Independence Playground), Bronx

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Jerome Park Friends and Neighbors meets most weekend Saturday mornings from April through October to care for the plantings around Jerome Park Reservoir.
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at Glick Park

at Glick Park (in East River Esplanade), Manhattan

9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Alliance for Kips Bay to plant bulbs and clean up in the newly reopened Glick Park.
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at Brust Park

at Upper Brust Park Greystone Avenue Entrance (in Brust Park), Bronx

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come volunteer with the Stewards of Brust Park as they plant daffodil bulbs donated by New Yorkers for Parks.
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at Westerleigh Park

at Westerleigh Park Gazebo (in Westerleigh Park), Staten Island

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Westerleigh Parks Coalition to clean and beautify Westerleigh Park.
Free!

Oct26

CANCELLED: It's My Park at Baisley Pond Park

at Lakeview Lane Playground (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Baisley Pond Park Block Association to rake leaves and pull any weeds at Baisley Pond Park.
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at New Dorp Beach

at New Dorp Beach (in Great Kills Park), Staten Island

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Natural Resources Protective Association to clean the shoreline at New Dorp Beach of washed up garbage and debris.
Free!

Oct26

Ecology Park - Forest Restoration

at Ecology Park

9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team and the Natural Areas Conservancy in Ecology Park! Volunteers will learn how to identify and safely remove invasive plants in order to help restore…
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at Glenwood Landing

at Glenwood Landing Garden (in Glenwood Landing), Queens

9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
This It’s My Park season, volunteer with Westmoreland Association to complete a daffodil bulb planting and cleanup at Glenwood Landing.
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at Seward Park

at Seward Park Park House (in Seward Park), Manhattan

9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Seward Park Conservancy to spruce up the planting beds surrounding the playground at Seward Park.
Free!

Oct26

Beautify Fort Tryon Park with New York Cares

at Anne Loftus Playground (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Beautify this historic and scenic park by weeding, planting, removing invasive species, and more.
Free!

Oct26

Trash Hero Park Cleanup at Riverside Park

at Riverside Park Bird Sanctuary (in Riverside Park), Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Riverside Park Conservancy partners with TRASH HERO NY to remove trash and recyclables that are brought in with the tides and pile up along the Hudson River coastline.
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at Morningside Park

at 112th Street and Manhattan Avenue (in Morningside Park), Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Friends of Morningside Park to plant daffodils and beautify Morningside Park.
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at Ruppert Park

at Park Entrance at 91st Street and Second Avenue (in Ruppert Park), Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Friends of Ruppert Park to clean up, plant bulbs, and prepare Ruppert Park for the colder seasons.
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at Springfield Park

at Springfield Park Park House (in Springfield Park), Queens

10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
This It’s My Park season, volunteer with Volunteers for Springfield Park to complete a cleanup and bulb planting at Springfield Park.
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at Juan Pablo Duarte Square

at Juan Pablo Duarte Square, Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Washington Heights Gardening Crew to do a general clean up of Juan Pablo Duarte Square and the tree pits.
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at Leif Ericson Park

at 9th Avenue and 67th Street (in Leif Ericson Park), Brooklyn

11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Parent Child Relationship to beautify Leif Ericson Park.
Free!

Oct26

It's My Park at Hinton Park

at Entrance at 37th Avenue and 114th Street (in Hinton Park), Queens

11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Elmhurst Supporters for Parks to plant daffodil bulbs at Hinton Park.
Free!

Best For
Kids

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Oct27

Fort Tryon Park Beautification Day and Bulb Planting

at Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Activities will include some or all of the following: painting, planting preparations, planting, weeding, and more.
Free!

Oct27

It's My Park at West 88th Street Trees

at West 88th Street Tree Project, Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Come join the West 88th Street Tree Project and help beautify our street. All are welcome!
Free!

Oct27

Halloween Garden Ghoul Spook Fest

at Aquehung Skywalk Garden, Bronx

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Super Stewards and SUNDAYS@11 greening group to decorate the garden with a spooky graveyard look for Halloween. Participants will also make a compost bin.
Free!

Oct27

It's My Park at Maria Hernandez Park

at Maria Hernandez Park House (in Maria Hernandez Park), Brooklyn

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Clean Bushwick Initiative and Maria Hernandez Dog Run P.A.C.K. to plant daffodil bulbs and beautify at Maria Hernandez Park.
Free!

Oct27

It's My Park at Brower Park

at Brower Park Park House (in Brower Park), Brooklyn

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Friends of Brower Park to care for the natural elements of the park, including the Monarch Butterfly Garden at Brower Park.
Free!

Monday, October 28, 2019

Oct28

It's My Park at Michael J. Leonard Memorial Plaza

at Michael J. Leonard Memorial Plaza, Staten Island

10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Staten Island Royal Lions Club as they clean and beautify Michael J. Leonard Memorial Plaza.
Free!

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Oct30

It's My Park at Cobble Hill Park

at Congress Street and Clinton Street (in Cobble Hill Park), Brooklyn

7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Volunteer with Cobble Hill Association to beautify Cobble Hill Park.
Free!

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Nov 2

Ecology Park - Forest Restoration

at Ecology Park

Nov 2

Conference House Park Green Neighborhood - Forest Restoration

at Lenape Playground (in Conference House Park), Staten Island

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks Stewardship's monthly Green Neighborhood event in Conference House Park in Staten Island!
Free!

Nov 2

South Bronx Street Tree Care

at Bill Rainey Park, Bronx

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come work with NYC Parks Stewardship to care for local street trees!
Free!

Nov 2

November Clean Up

at Washington Square Park House (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan

9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Earn that weekend brunch by spending your Saturday morning volunteering at the Park! Tasks will vary depending on whatever is needed most: planting, weeding, litter pick-up, raking and…
Free!

Nov 2

Fall Planting at Morningside Park

at Morningside Park Waterfall (in Morningside Park), Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Morningside Park Conservancy for our annual fall planting. We will be planting bulbs, raking and doing a general clean up around the pond.
Free!

Best For
Kids

Nov 2

Ocean Breeze Green Team Volunteer Days

at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex (in Ocean Breeze Park), Staten Island

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks to volunteer in a trail maintenance project at Ocean Breeze Park. Participants will help with invasive weed removal and cutting branches of invasive trees for trail closure.
Free!

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Nov 3

Roger Morris Park Garden Volunteer Day

at Morris-Jumel Mansion (in Roger Morris Park), Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Whether you have a green thumb or just a curiosity for what makes the garden grow, all are welcome to volunteer in Roger Morris Park, the grounds of the Morris-Jumel Mansion.
Free!

Nov 3

Roger Morris Park Garden Volunteer Day

at Morris-Jumel Mansion (in Roger Morris Park), Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Whether you have a green thumb or just a curiosity for what makes the garden grow, all are welcome to volunteer!
Free!

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Nov 5

Greening Group Garden Workday

at West Farms, Bronx

8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Volunteer to beautify West Farms at a new garden pilot project. We will add pollinator-friendly native wildflowers and mulch the garden trees.
Free!

Nov 5

East Harlem Street Tree Care

at Alice Kornegay Triangle, Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Come work with NYC Parks Stewardship to care for local street trees!
Free!

Nov 5

Bushwick Street Tree Care

at Troutman Street and Wilson Avenue, Brooklyn

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Come work with NYC Parks Stewardship to care for local street trees!
Free!

Friday, November 8, 2019

Nov 8

Canarsie Forest Restoration

at Canarsie Park at 108th Street (in Canarsie Park), Brooklyn

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will learn how to identify and safely remove invasive plants in order to help restore natural areas and create a healthier ecosystem.
Free!

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Nov 9

Inwood Hill Park Trail Stewardship Day

at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join our effort to make the 4.2-mile trails of Inwood Hill Park safer, more accessible, and sustainable through trailblazing, corridor clearing, and debris removal.
Free!

Nov 9

Ecology Park - Forest Restoration

at Ecology Park

Nov 9

Calvert Vaux Wetland Cleanup

at South end of the Calvert Vaux Parking Lot (in Calvert Vaux Park), Brooklyn

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team at Calvert Vaux Park!
Free!

Nov 9

Ocean Breeze Park Trail Work

at Ocean Breeze Track & Field Athletic Complex (in Ocean Breeze Park), Staten Island

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will learn how to identify and safely remove invasive plants as well as close desire lines in order to help restore the forest and create a healthier ecosystem.
Free!

Nov 9

Beautify Fort Tryon Park with New York Cares

at Anne Loftus Playground (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Beautify this historic and scenic park by weeding, planting, removing invasive species, and more.
Free!

Nov 9

Second Saturdays Trailwork Party + Bike Share at Highbridge Bike Park

at BMX Jump Park (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Bring your friends and family for a day of fun in the woods and learn what it takes to build, maintain, and ride the most progressive urban bike park in America!
Free!

Best For
Kids

Nov 9

Leaf Crunch 2019

at Upper Brust Park Greystone Avenue Entrance (in Brust Park), Bronx

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join in at Leaf Crunch 2019, a fun fall festival with leaf raking, crafts, giveaways, and more. We’ll provide the tools and snacks, you bring friends and family! Groups welcome.…
Free!

Best For
Kids

Nov 9

Turn & Learn Compost Work Day (NYC Compost Project)

at Compost Demonstration Site (in Snug Harbor Cultural Center), Staten Island

1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
The best way to learn about compost is to make it, and attending our Turn & Learns will make you a pro. Bring a water bottle, wear closed toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Free!

Monday, November 11, 2019

Nov11

Flushing Meadows Corona Park Wetland Restoration

at Parking Lot at Meadow Lake (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will learn how to safely remove invasive phragmites plants from the Meadow Lake shoreline in order to help create a healthier ecosystem.
Free!

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Nov16

Ecology Park - Forest Restoration

at Ecology Park

Nov16

Cunningham Forest Restoration

at SE corner of Union Turnpike and Francis Lewis Blvd. (in Cunningham Park), Queens

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will learn how to identify and safely remove invasive plants in order to help restore natural areas and create a healthier ecosystem.
Free!

Nov16

Leaf Crunch 2019

at George Seuffert Bandshell (in Forest Park), Queens

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
The NYC Compost Project hosted by Queens Botanical Garden and NYC Parks are leading Leaf Crunch 2018 in Forest Park. Come help us rake leaves that will be composted and…
Free!

Nov16

Help the Garden Day - November

at Community Garden (in Highland Park), Brooklyn

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Nestled at the far end of Highland Park is a delightful community garden filled with beds of shade trees, flowers, fruits, and herbs. Join our community gardeners as we winterize the…
Free!

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Nov17

Raoul Wallenberg Forest Tree Planting

at Raoul Wallenburg Forest, Bronx

9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to plant trees in Raoul Wallenburg Forest!
Free!

Must See
Event

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Nov23

Ecology Park - Forest Restoration

at Ecology Park

Nov23

Beautify Fort Tryon Park with New York Cares

at Anne Loftus Playground (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Beautify this historic and scenic park by weeding, planting, removing invasive species, and more.
Free!

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Dec 1

Ecosystem Explorers: Trail Cleanup

at Forest Hill Road and Alaska Place (in LaTourette Park & Golf Course), Staten Island

11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Be an environmental warrior as you join the Urban Park Rangers on this hike and clean up the trail while learning the importance of trail maintenance.
Free!