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1. How do I find out about volunteer projects?

The City of Eugene Parks and Open Space calendar http://www.eugene-or.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=55, is the most reliable place to find out about volunteer project dates.

2. What do volunteers do?

Volunteers maintain trails, dog parks, landscape beds, tree wells, community gardens, specialty gardens, the Native Plant Nursery and more. We remove invasive species, plant friendlier species in their place and water. What appeals to you? At the end of the day, we’d love for you to leave with a greater sense of community and understanding of Eugene’s park system and skills you can apply at home. We thank our volunteers for helping us make our resources go farther.

3. What do I need to bring?

Bring your smiling face, sturdy shoes, and dress for the ever-changing Oregon weather in something that can get dirty (layers are great)—we provide tools, gloves and snacks.

4. Can I get school credit for volunteer hours?

We love to work with students accumulating volunteer hours. Bring your record sheet, if you have one, and we’ll sign it!

5. Is RSVP required?

RSVP is required only if listed in the project information on the calendar. While usually not required, letting us know you’re coming helps us know how many tools and snacks to bring.

6. Any age requirements?

Volunteer projects are generally family-friendly. Children need to be supervised, of course, and those 14 and younger need to be accompanied by an adult.

7. Experience required?

We may have a role at the project more suitable for an experienced volunteer—running power equipment or leading a smaller group of volunteers, but generally no experience is required. We’re just happy to have your help!

8. What if it’s raining?

We host volunteer projects in all weather. Projects are only occasionally cancelled because of weather when the conditions would get in the way of safe travel to the work site or effective completion of the work. We make the most diligent effort to let volunteers know when a project has been cancelled, including personal contact, updating the City of Eugene calendar and posting signs in the park.

9. Will there be a bathroom?

Some of our projects don’t have quick access to a bathroom. Your volunteer coordinator can confirm project-by-project.

10. What is a park adoption?

A park adoption is an agreement to volunteer in a park or natural area of your choice four times per year for two years. The agreement is renewable after two years.

11. Can we get a sign acknowledging our park adoption?

We agree. It’d be nice to have a sign letting park users know that volunteers care for the site. We’d like to thank you for your work by telling the world about you via a park sign. We are working on our sign policy, so more to come on this.

12. Can I volunteer if I’m not part of an adoption group?

Yes—all of the events listed on the City of Eugene calendar are open for all volunteers, either as individuals or in groups.

13. Internships with Eugene Park Stewards?

Yes—we love our interns and are sorry we can’t pay them. Contact a volunteer coordinator if you’re interested in interning with us. Interns usually work Saturdays and one other day or part day during the week depending on the number of hours needed during the semester or quarter.

14. How can we get something new in our park?

Requests for new park infrastructure such as restrooms, lighting, benches, drinking fountains, playgrounds, community gardens, trash cans or shelters are reviewed via the Community-Initiated Park Development Process or “CIPDP” (pronounced “sip-dip”). CIPDP requests are reviewed and facilitated by the parks planning manager. Contact a volunteer coordinator if you’re interested in setting up a CIPDP meeting.