- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Public Works
- Parks and Open Space
- Volunteer
- Volunteer Options
Volunteer Options
No experience is necessary at these enriching family-friendly events. We will provide tools, instruction and a good time. Locations will range from natural areas, to neighborhood and community parks, to community gardens. Each event will be unique, but you can expect to give back, get dirty, have fun, learn something new, and connect with awesome people. Check out our calendar to the right for upcoming events, and we will see you there!
Regular monthly and weekly work parties also take place seasonally in Hendricks Park (forest and Rhododendron garden), Owen Rose Garden and the Native Plant Nursery. Join these dedicated volunteers once, or come back week after week to lend a hand. See the calendar of events for details.
What’s your volunteer super power?
Like to tinker? Repair, sharpen and tune-up the valuable fleet of hand tools and small equipment volunteers rely on.
Fascinated by science? Satisfy your inner ecologist and help collect important data to care and steward our parks and wildlife habitat.
Got a green thumb? Share your skills to enrich Eugene’s Community Gardens with educational workshops or keeping the common areas tidy and free of weeds. Or, join weekly seasonal work parties at Hendricks Park, Owen Rose Garden and the Native Plant Nursery.
Comfortable behind a camera? We are always looking for people to help showcase our beautiful parks and wonderful volunteers. This can be as simple as uploading a photo and tagging @EUGparks with #EUGoutdoors, or step in as the on-site photographer for one of our many volunteer events.
Soar like an Eagle? Eagle Scout projects are welcome in Eugene Parks. Let us help you flex those leadership muscles.
Dream of a career in public service? If you are a student, or a life-long learner, interested in internship opportunities with Parks and Open Space, please let us know.
Feeling independent? Keep it low-key by picking up trash and debris while your kids play, sweeping sidewalks, pulling invasive weeds along your hike, or meditating to the raking of leaves.
Adopt Your Park
Eugene Outdoors is grateful for the dedication of our existing Friends Groups who are committed to caring for their favorite park. Consider joining one of these fine groups, or band together with neighbors and create your own park adoption. Annual park adopters are asked to hold four work parties in the year and sign an adoption agreement. Park adopters collaborate closely with one of our talented coordinators- we are in this together!
BYOG: Bring Your Own Group
You’ve got the volunteers we’ve got the project. From businesses, schools, local clubs and faith organizations, we can match any size group with a volunteer project that makes an impact. Volunteering in the park system is a meaningful experience that connects your group with neighbors, causes and opportunities that make our community a more vibrant place to live. A group project can be anywhere from a few hours to a a few days and tailored to your group’s interests.