Volunteer
If you want to do something special in the city, NYC Parks can match you with the right volunteer opportunity for you! Fulfill a service day by spending time outdoors and making new friends. From a neighborhood park to New York City's wildest natural areas, we work with hundreds of park partner groups across the city to find meaningful opportunities to give back to your park.
Looking for more volunteer opportunities? Check out our Let's Green NYC page! We'll match you with a volunteer group that you'll love, and find the group that's right for you!
Volunteer Events
Saturday, January 18, 2025
It's My Park at Cooper Park
at Cooper Park, Brooklyn
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Volunteer with Friends of Cooper Park to clean up, rake leaves, and steward Cooper Park.
Free!
Event
It's My Park at Northerleigh Park
at North Avenue and Lockwood Place Entrance (in Northerleigh Park)
9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Volunteer with Westerleigh Parks Coalition to rake leaves and clean debris around Northerleigh Park.
Free!
MLK Day of Service - Morning
at Icahn Stadium (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Volunteers will assist our Urban Farm team to create these seed packets by placing seeds into packages and clearly labelling each.
Free!
1/18 Forest Park MLK Day of Service
at George Seuffert, Sr. Bandshell (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
We invite you to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with us at Forest Park! Join us on this national day of service by helping the park and giving back to the community.
Free!
1/18 Highland Park MLK Day of Service
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
We invite you to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with us Highland Park! Join us on this national day of service by helping the park and giving back to the community.
Free!
Inwood Hill Park Forest Restoration
at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street Entrance (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect the forested areas in Inwood Hill Park!
Free!
It's My Park at Leif Ericson Park
at Leif Ericson Park, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Parent-Child Relationship Association to beautify Leif Ericson Park.
Free!
Volunteer Workday: Clayton Williams Garden
at Clayton Williams Memorial Garden, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join us for a volunteer workday at Clayton Williams Garden in Harlem, where we'll tackle seasonal maintenance tasks, including debris cleanup and mulch spreading.
Free!
Winter Composting hosted by Big Reuse
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the NYC Compost Project hosted by Big Reuse as we manage the three-bin compost system at Randall’s Island Urban Farm!
Free!
MLK Day of Service - Afternoon
at Icahn Stadium (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Volunteers will assist our Urban Farm team to create these seed packets by placing seeds into packages and clearly labelling each.
Free!
Sunday, January 19, 2025
It's My Park at Skyline Playground
at Skyline Playground Garden (in Skyline Playground), Staten Island
9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Volunteer with HEALTH for Youths to help maintain the community garden at Skyline Playground and do a general clean-up around the park.
Free!
It's My Park at Ewen Park
at Ewen Park Dog Run (in Ewen Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Stewards of Ewen Park to do a general cleanup and remove invasive plants in preparation for spring plantings at Ewen Park.
Free!
It's My Park at McKinley Park
at McKinley Park, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Parent Child Relationship Association to beautify McKinley Park.
Free!
It's My Park at Msgr. McGolrick Park
at Central Pavilion (in Msgr. McGolrick Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with North Brooklyn Parks Alliance to help spread mulch around Msgr. McGolrick Park.
Free!
It's My Park at Sunset Park
at Sunset Park Recreation Center (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Parent-Child Relationship Association to beautify Sunset Park.
Free!
Monday, January 20, 2025
01/20 MLK Day Sunset Park Street Tree Care
at 5th Ave and 36th St, Brooklyn (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks Stewardship as we celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and care for local street trees! Volunteers will learn how to aerate, cultivate, mulch, and identify street trees. They will also learn about the important roles street trees play in New York City. Volunteers should dress in clothes that can get dirty and closed toe shoes. Face masks may be worn at your discretion. Space is limited and registration is required. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone. This event has been sponsored by the New York City Council Member Alexa Aviles of Council District 38. To sign up a group of 10 or more volunteers please reach out to stewardship@parks.nyc.gov.
Free!
Ferry Point Park Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coastal Cleanup
at Emerson Ave. & Harding Ave. (in Ferry Point Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks Stewardship as we celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by helping us protect coastal areas in Ferry Point Park!
Free!
Event
Idlewild Martin Luther King Jr. Day Trail Work
at Idlewild Park, Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Eastern Queens Alliance and Parks Stewardship as we celebrate the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Idlewild Park and work to maintain its trails!
Free!
Event
MLK Day East Harlem Street Tree Care
at Cherry Tree Park Playground (in Cherry Tree Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come work with NYC Parks Stewardship to care for local street trees! Volunteers will learn how to aerate, cultivate, mulch, and identify street trees. They will also learn about the important roles street trees play in New York City. Volunteers should dress in clothes that can get dirty and closed toe shoes. Face masks may be worn at your discretion. Space is limited and registration is required. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone. This event has been funded in part by NYC Service. To sign up a group of 10 or more volunteers please reach out to stewardship@parks.nyc.gov.
Free!
MLK Day of Service: East Harlem Street Tree Care
at E 100th Street & 2nd Avenue (in Cherry Tree Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will learn how to aerate, cultivate, mulch, and identify street trees. They will also learn about the important roles street trees play in New York City.
Free!
Event
MLK Day of Service: Maintain Idlewild Trails w/ Parks
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Eastern Queens Alliance (EQA) in partnership with NYC Parks to work and maintain Idlewild's Trails.
Free!
Event
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Winter Corps
at Prospect Park, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join Prospect Park Alliance every Wednesday from December 4 – February 26 for a special winter work session at our Winter Corps. Volunteers will assist in raking, minor shoveling, litter pick up, and other landscaping needs.
Free!
Woodlawn Wednesdays
at Woodlawn Playground (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Help us restore the Woodlawn Forests in Van Cortlandt Park
Free!
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Friday, January 24, 2025
Forest Fridays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Help restore Van Cortlandt Park’s vital urban forest! Join our Forest Friday events to remove invasive plants like multiflora rose, bittersweet, and porcelain berry. Your efforts will create space for native plants to thrive and support the long-term health of this 640-acre ecosystem.
Free!
Bronx Green-Up: Volunteer Garden Workdays at Karol’s Community Urban Farm
at Karol's Urban Farm - Castle Hill (NYCHA), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Karol's Farm crew and Castle Hill Houses community members for a weekly produce distribution and volunteer workday! Even during the winter, the farm needs care.
Free!
Saturday, January 25, 2025
It's My Park at Cooper Park
at Cooper Park, Brooklyn
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Volunteer with Friends of Cooper Park to clean up, rake leaves, and steward Cooper Park.
Free!
It's My Park at Northerleigh Park
at North Avenue and Lockwood Place Entrance (in Northerleigh Park)
9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Volunteer with Westerleigh Parks Coalition to rake leaves and clean debris around Northerleigh Park.
Free!
It's My Park at Leif Ericson Park
at Leif Ericson Park, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Parent-Child Relationship Association to beautify Leif Ericson Park.
Free!
Winter Composting hosted by Big Reuse
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the NYC Compost Project hosted by Big Reuse as we manage the three-bin compost system at Randall’s Island Urban Farm!
Free!
Sunday, January 26, 2025
It's My Park at McKinley Park
at McKinley Park, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Parent-Child Relationship Association to beautify McKinley Park.
Free!
It's My Park at Sunset Park
at Sunset Park Recreation Center (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Parent-Child Relationship Association to beautify Sunset Park.
Free!
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Winter Corps
at Prospect Park, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join Prospect Park Alliance every Wednesday from December 4 – February 26 for a special winter work session at our Winter Corps. Volunteers will assist in raking, minor shoveling, litter pick up, and other landscaping needs.
Free!
Woodlawn Wednesdays
at Woodlawn Playground (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Help us restore the Woodlawn Forests in Van Cortlandt Park
Free!
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Friday, January 31, 2025
Alley Pond Park Trail Work
at Adventure Course Parking Lot (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health, as well as close desire lines in order to help restore the forest and create a healthier ecosystem.
Free!
Forest Fridays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Help restore Van Cortlandt Park’s vital urban forest! Join our Forest Friday events to remove invasive plants like multiflora rose, bittersweet, and porcelain berry. Your efforts will create space for native plants to thrive and support the long-term health of this 640-acre ecosystem.
Free!
Bronx Green-Up: Volunteer Garden Workdays at Karol’s Community Urban Farm
at Karol's Urban Farm - Castle Hill (NYCHA), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Karol's Farm crew and Castle Hill Houses community members for a weekly produce distribution and volunteer workday! Even during the winter, the farm needs care.
Free!
Saturday, February 1, 2025
It's My Park at Cooper Park
at Cooper Park, Brooklyn
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Volunteer with Friends of Cooper Park to clean up, rake leaves, and steward Cooper Park.
Free!
It's My Park at Wolfe's Pond Park
at Wolfe's Pond Park House (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with The New York City Mountain Bike Association on the First Saturday of each month to, build, ride, and maintain trails at Wolfe's Pond Park in Staten Island.
Free!
Coney Island Street Tree Care and Coastal Cleanup
at Park House (in Kaiser Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come work with NYC Parks Stewardship to care for local street trees and coastline!
Free!
It's My Park at Leif Ericson Park
at Leif Ericson Park, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Parent-Child Relationship Association to beautify Leif Ericson Park.
Free!
Winter Composting hosted by Big Reuse
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the NYC Compost Project hosted by Big Reuse as we manage the three-bin compost system at Randall’s Island Urban Farm!
Free!
It's My Park at Ewen Park
at Ewen Park Dog Run (in Ewen Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Stewards of Ewen Park to do a general cleanup and remove invasive plants in preparation for spring plantings at Ewen Park.
Free!
Sunday, February 2, 2025
It's My Park at McKinley Park
at McKinley Park, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Parent Child Relationship Association to beautify McKinley Park.
Free!
It's My Park at Sunset Park
at Sunset Park Recreation Center (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Parent-Child Relationship Association to beautify Sunset Park.
Free!
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Winter Corps
at Prospect Park, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join Prospect Park Alliance every Wednesday from December 4 – February 26 for a special winter work session at our Winter Corps. Volunteers will assist in raking, minor shoveling, litter pick up, and other landscaping needs.
Free!
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Saturday, February 8, 2025
It's My Park at Cooper Park
at Cooper Park, Brooklyn
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Volunteer with Friends of Cooper Park to clean up, rake leaves, and steward Cooper Park.
Free!
It's My Park at Leif Ericson Park
at Leif Ericson Park, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Parent-Child Relationship Association to beautify Leif Ericson Park.
Free!