Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Volunteer Program

Upcoming Events

These single-time events help fulfill a program, maintenance, or special event need. By signing up for these, you can directly support Raleigh Parks in building a better community. Pre-registration through CERVIS is required for all volunteers. Group contacts can reach out to Volunteer Services to reserve slots for events that do not have a waitlist. Please include the number of slots to reserve, the event name and, if applicable, which shift(s) you would like to help with. Click on the event names listed below to learn more and to register.

Event	Description	Date, Time & Age	Location
Jazz in the Square	Assist with setup of the event including tents, tables, chairs, & lighting.	9/29 - 10/13/22 4pm - 8pm Ages 16+	Moore Square
Green Team at Tarboro Road Park	Volunteers will target hot spots around the park and dispose of trash in nearby dumpsters/bins.	9/29 - 10/27/22 9am - 12pm Ages 16+	Tarboro Road
Greenway Fence Cleaning	Volunteers will walk along the Neuse River Trail to different fence sections and clean the fencing with soap and water.	9/30 - 10/28/22 9am - 12pm Ages 14+	Neuse River Trail
Dorothea Dix Invitational 5K	Volunteers may help at the finish line, the water station, or hospitality tent, and may monitor the track, call split times, and cheer on racers.	10/1/22 7:30am - 11am Ages 16+	Dorothea Dix
Moore Square Market	This is a weekly farmer's market event in downtown Raleigh. The market helps bring fresh produce and artisan goods to the downtown community.	10/2 - 10/2/22 Various times Ages 16+	Moore Square
Deck the Park	Help us transform Pullen Park into a winter wonderland with lights, displays, wreaths, and garland.	10/3 - 11/10/22 Various Ages 15+	Pullen
Planting at Chavis Park	Volunteers will help with digging holes and placing new plants ranging in size and species. After completing the planting, volunteers will add mulch.	10/5/22 9am - 12pm Ages 16+	Chavis
Shelter Staining at Roberts Park	Help give Roberts Park a refreshed look with a new coat of stain.	10/5 - 10/13/22 9am - 12pm Ages 18+	Roberts
Green Team at Laurel Hills	Volunteers will target hot spots around the park and dispose of trash in nearby dumpsters/bins.	10/7/22 9am - 12pm Ages 10+	Laurel Hills
Pow Wow	Greet event attendees, provide event directional instructions, support event set up, and assist with clean up.	10/8/22 Various Ages 15+	Dorothea Dix
Lake Wheeler Big Sweep	Come help clean up the shoreline and park grounds of Lake Wheeler Park to keep our environment and waterways litter-free!	10/8/22 9am - 11am Ages 12+	Lake Wheeler
Crabtree Creek Trail Litter Cleanup	Join Parks staff in removing trash along Crabtree Creek Trail near New Bern Ave.	10/13 - 11/9/22 9am - 12pm Ages 12+	Crabtree Creek Trail
Green Team at Chavis Park	Volunteers will target hot spots around the park and dispose of trash in nearby dumpsters/bins.	10/14/22 9am - 12pm Ages 16+	Chavis
Green Team at Peach Road	Volunteers will target hot spots around the park and dispose of trash in nearby dumpsters/bins.	10/14/22 9am - 12pm Ages 16+	Peach Road
Durant Invasive Species Removal Days	Use handsaws or loppers to cut and remove invasive plants from designated areas at Durant.	10/15/22 - 1/21/23 Various Ages 14+	Durant
Falling for Local	Greet event attendees, provide event directional instructions, support event setup, event activities, and event cleanup.	10/15/22 Various Ages 15+	Dorothea Dix
Green Team at Jaycee Park	Volunteers will target hot spots around the park and dispose of trash in nearby dumpsters/bins.	10/20 - 11/17 9am - 12pm Ages 10+	Jaycee
Durant Trail Maintenance Days	Give Durant a hand in graveling and/or mulching to cover large roots and repair the trail tread.	10/22/22 - 1/28/23 9am - 12pm Ages 14+	Durant
Daffodil Planting at Pullen	Volunteers will use hand tools to help plant bulbs in designated areas in the park.	11/2/22 9am - 12pm Ages 12+	Pullen
Horseshoe Farm Invasive Species Removal Days	Use handsaws or loppers to cut and remove invasive plants from designated areas at Horseshoe Farm.	11/5/22 - 1/7/23 9am - 12pm Ages 14+	Horseshoe Farm
Tee Pad Erosion Control	Volunteers will be filling and moving wheelbarrows of gravel to designated areas on the course and moving logs.	11/5/22 9am - 12pm Ages 16+	Kentwood
Tulip Planting at Pullen	Volunteers will use hand tools to help plant bulbs in designated areas in the park.	11/15/22 9am - 12pm Ages 12+	Pullen
John Chavis Memorial Bulb Planting	Volunteers will help with digging holes and placing bulbs. After completing the planting, volunteers will add mulch.	11/17/22 9am - 12pm Ages 16+	Chavis
Horseshoe Farm Bio Retention Maintenance Day	Join staff in weeding and maintaining the bio-retention area at Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve.	11/19/22 9am - 12pm Ages 14+	Horseshoe Farm
Durant "Big Sweep" Trash Pick Up Day	Volunteers will use litter pickup sticks and trash bags to collect trash from the nature preserve as part of the 'Big Sweep' program.	12/3/22 9am - 12pm Ages 12+	Durant

Ongoing Opportunities

These opportunities are year-long commitments. An application and background check are required for each. Individuals/group contacts must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Program	Description	Conditions	Schedule
Adopt-A-Park Contact Volunteer Services for more information	Interested individuals and groups can participate in park cleanups and support the Raleigh Parks System.	Sign Agreement Meet at adopted park with staff Submit hours to Volunteer Services	One year minimum with optional renewal. At least 4 cleanups a year.
Adopt-A-Trail Find your trail here	Interested individuals and groups can participate in trail cleanups and support the Capital Area Greenway System.	Sign Agreement Submit your hours to Volunteer Services	One year minimum with optional renewal. At least 4 cleanups a year.
Moore Square Activation Ambassador	Create an activated, vibrant, and welcoming environment at Moore Square by assisting with programs and events.	On-site training with staff Coordinate schedule with staff	Volunteer monthly, as scheduled.
Moore Square Historical Guide	Volunteers will lead groups on historical tours of Moore Square and will share Raleigh’s history with the public.	On-site training with staff Coordinate schedule with staff	Minimum of four hours per month, as scheduled.
City of Raleigh Museum Guide	Assist with hands-on education programs for schools. Guides will teach students ranging from kindergarten to middle school on the history of Raleigh.	Experience working with children On-site training with staff Coordinate schedule with staff	Weekly volunteer dates each Tuesday - Friday, 10 am – noon.
Clinic Instructors for Learn to Play Pickleball	Join local pickleball players, USAPA Pickleball Ambassadors, and Raleigh Parks staff to offer no-cost "Learn to Play" pickleball clinics at various locations.	On-site training with staff Coordinate schedule with staff	Volunteer monthly, as scheduled.
Mordecai Docent Volunteer Program	Docents will be responsible for giving one-hour park tours that include the historic Mordecai house, outbuildings, and landscape.	On-site training with staff Coordinate schedule with staff	Weekly volunteer dates each Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm or Sunday, 1 pm - 4 pm.
Sassafras All Children's Playground Park Ambassador	Serve as a park ambassador at the Laurel Hills playground by providing information about the park, keeping the playground trash-free, and reporting to staff.	Sign Agreement On-site training with staff Submit hours to Volunteer Services Coordinate schedule with staff	Weekly for a minimum of one hour Saturday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm, or Sunday 1:30 pm - 6:30 pm.

Garden Programs

House surrounded by blooming flowers and green grass

Help Parks staff with maintenance and horticulture needs across a park. In addition to an application and background check, each program requires volunteers to sign an Agreement, attend and on-site orientation with staff, and to submit hours to Volunteer Services. Individuals must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Program	About	Schedule
Dorothea Dix Garden Volunteers	Dorothea Dix Park is Raleigh’s largest city park. The 308-acre site blends historic architecture and rich landscapes into a unique destination in the heart of Raleigh.	Monthly volunteer dates on the Wednesday of every month from 9 am - noon.
Fred Fletcher Garden Volunteers	Fred Fletcher Park is a 22-acre public garden. It is the former campus of the Methodist Home for Children and was purchased by the city in 1982.	Weekly volunteer dates each Fridays from 8 am - noon.
Joslin Garden Volunteer	Joslin Garden has over four acres of rolling hills and gardens overflow with streams, walking trails, and a diverse collection of rare and native plants, arranged in both formal and informal areas.	Weekly volunteer dates each Tuesday from 9 am - noon, and Wednesday from noon - 3 pm.
Mordecai Garden Volunteer	Mordecai Historic Park lies in the heart of downtown Raleigh and showcases one of the largest plantations in Wake County and is President Andrew Johnson's birthplace.	Weekly volunteer dates each Wednesday from 9 am – noon.
Raleigh Rose Garden Volunteer	The Raleigh Rose Garden has offered a year-round display of roses, trees, and perennials. The grounds include sixty rose beds with varieties of hybrid teas, miniatures, and antique roses.	Bi-weekly participation minimum on volunteer’s own time.

Group Volunteers

A group of park volunteers smiling together

Businesses, schools, churches, and other organizations can contribute time, talent and resources to the department by volunteering for upcoming events or ongoing opportunities. If your group does not find a good match or needs assistance choosing a project, please complete the group volunteer project interest form. Project requests need to be made a minimum of a month in advance to allow staff enough time to coordinate a project. For additional questions, contact Olinda Oliveira.

Scout Projects

Raleigh Parks Volunteer Services offers scouting projects for earning Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards, Eagle Scout Awards, Adventure Scout Awards, Quartermaster Awards and more. Scouts must meet the requirements listed in the Scout Policies and Procedures Handbook to complete a project with the department. Once the requirements, process, and forms have been reviewed, contact Rachel Van Noordt with your request. See the approved project list below.

Project Title	Location
Invasive Plant Removals and GIS Mapping	Various
Sensitive Area Fencing Construction	Durant Nature Preserve
Story Book Trail Station Construction	Walnut Creek Wetland Park

*We can plan group projects for individual scouts and groups that are not associated with awards as well.

Invasive Species Program

A young boy picking up invasives during volunteering

The Invasive Species Program provides an opportunity for individuals and groups to have hands-on experiences with managing non-native plant species in Raleigh’s parks and trails. Learn about identifying invasive vegetation, their negative impact on the environment, and how to effectively remove them. For more information, visit the Invasive Species Program webpage.

Court Appointed and Suggested Service

The Court Appointed and Suggested Service volunteer program is currently on hold.

This program provides an opportunity for individuals who need to complete requirements for court appointed volunteer hours and/or volunteer hours suggested by a lawyer or court official. Volunteers in this program can assist at the City of Raleigh greenhouse. This is the only location and opportunity available for this program and is based on staff need. Volunteers with more than 24 hours are unable to volunteer for this opportunity.

Donations

These donation programs offer opportunities for community citizens to partner with the City of Raleigh to donate resources for the enhancement of City of Raleigh parkland. Individuals and groups may donate funds for trees and general parkland enhancement projects. All general parkland enhancement donations will be used to fund projects that fit within each park’s Master Plan and Maintenance Plan. For more information about each donation opportunity, please select the links below.

*Bench donations are no longer accepted at Dorothea Dix, Durant, Horseshoe Farm, Lake Johnson, Lake Lynn, Moore Square, Nash Square, Oakwood Commons, Pullen Park, Raleigh Rose Garden, Rothgeb, or Shelley Lake.

For additional donation opportunities with Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources, visit the Financial Assistance webpage.

Fletcher Awards

The Fred Fletcher Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program honors Mr. Fletcher’s 54 years of dedicated service to Raleigh Parks by recognizing citizens, businesses, community organizations, and nonprofit organizations who have made outstanding contributions to programs, services, and facilities offered by Raleigh Parks. Visit the Fred Fletcher Outstanding Volunteer Awards webpage to see award categories, past recipients, and to learn more.