Find Your Place Outside This June
June has a way of drawing people outdoors. Longer evenings, warmer mornings, and parks full of movement and activity invite us to get outside, explore, and reconnect with the world around us. It feels fitting, then that June is recognized as the Great Outdoors Month, a time to celebrate many ways parks, trails, rivers, and green spaces bring people together. Here at Five Rivers MetroParks, we have a place for you in the outdoors.
For some people, the outdoors looks like a peaceful walk on one of our Heart Healthy Trails. For others, it looks like muddy shoes after a volunteer project, kayaking on the river, time spent in the gardens, or an evening concert at RiverScape MetroPark. Some connect with nature through movement and adventure, while others find it through creativity, volunteering, learning, or simply spending time outside with the people they care about. However you choose to connect with the outdoors this season, we're glad you're here.
During both Pride Month and Immigrant Heritage Month, Great Outdoors Month serves as a meaningful reminder that parks, trails, rivers, and green spaces are for everyone.
As author and botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer reminds us, "All flourishing is mutual." Time outside has a way of reminding us that we are connected not only to nature, but to one another. Parks become places where memories are made, friendships grow, and communities gather. In a busy season filled with movement and activity, those shared outdoor experiences help strengthen the relationships, care and sense of belonging that allow communities to flourish together.
Great Outdoors Month Highlights
Summer Sounds & Community Gatherings
Celebrate summer outdoors with free concerts, Music Bingo, Paint-A-Park, and community events happening across the MetroParks all month long. Join us for June's Summer Music Series on Friday, June 5 from 7-9pm with the 70s+80s Rock Concert with Cassette Junkies at RiverScape MetroPark.
Explore the Outdoors
 Whether you prefer peaceful trails, paddling on the river, or trying something completely new, June is full of opportunities to get outside and explore. Join the 2026 MetroParks Trails Challenge, try kayaking or paddlesports, reserve a campsite, or discover a new favorite trail this summer. Don't forget to use your volunteer discount on MetroParks programs and routine rentals!
Dig In This Summer Get your hands dirty and help care for the parks through gardening and trail maintenance opportunities across the MetroParks.
- Join our friendly gardening teams on weekdays at Aullwood Garden, Carriage Hill, Cox Arboretum, Possum Creek, RiverScape or Wegerzyn Gardens and help keep these spaces vibrant and welcoming for all.
- Prefer the trails? Volunteer with trail maintenance crews on weekdays at Germantown/Twin Creek, Huffman/MoMBA, or Englewood MetroParks and help care for the outdoor spaces that thousands of visitors enjoy each year. Or support this year's TVT Challenge on June 6 at Germantown MetroPark. Volunteers are still needed to support our hiker aid stations, registration, and sustainability. - Looking for something messy and memorable? Join us for Mud Day on June 27, a playful celebration of connecting kids to nature through mud pools, games, crafts, and outdoor fun at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. Volunteers are needed to help with setup, teardown, and activity support throughout the event. 
Step Outside With UsThere are countless ways to connect with the MetroParks this summer.
Explore available volunteer opportunities on Get Connected, browse upcoming programs and events, or gather friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers for a group volunteer experience. However, you choose to spend time outside this season, thank you for being part of a community that helps keep our parks accessible, inclusive, and full of life.
|
Park Maintenance Impact: Twin Valley Trail Volunteers - Stewards of the Trails
Trail volunteer workdays play an important role in the overall stewardship of Twin Valley MetroPark. Through hands-on support, volunteers help keep trails safe, sustainable, and welcoming for everyone.
Over the course of 2025, 16 Twin Valley trail workday shifts were offered, supported by 18 volunteers contributing a total of 252.69 volunteer hours. Volunteers assisted with trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and a variety of park improvement projects, helping address both routine needs and larger challenges across the park's trail system.
As the former Trail Technician at Germantown and Twin Valley, and current Eastwood and Huffman Park Manager, Noah Browning shared, "The work volunteers put in plays a huge role in keeping the trails safe, sustainable, and welcoming for everyone." The impact of these workdays is visible throughout the park. One meaningful example is the memorial bench along the Green Trail, a lasting addition that reflects the care volunteers bring to their work and something they can take pride in. "It's a meaningful addition to the park and something the volunteers can take real pride in," Noah noted.
Beyond individual projects, Noah emphasized the value of working alongside volunteers across many aspects of park stewardship. "I've truly enjoyed working alongside the volunteers on all aspects of the work, from trail maintenance and invasive species removal to tacking whatever else the park throws our way." According to Noah, it is the volunteers' dedication that makes the difference. "Their commitment, teamwork, and care for the land make a noticeable difference, and it's been rewarding to be part of that effort."
Thanks to the continued support of trail volunteers, Twin Valley's trails remain places where visitors can explore safely, connect with the landscape, and enjoy the park year-round. Their contributions are an essential part of sustaining these shared spaces and ensuring they remain welcome for all.
Interested in supporting our trails, maybe joining one of our trail crews for a workday? Check out available opportunities here and click the blue RESPOND button to sign up and lend a hand.
Support these trails by supporting this year's TVT Challenge! Volunteer opportunities are still available. Learn more and sign up to jump in and support this incredible event on this world class trail system.
Read more great stories of volunteer impact in this year's Volunteer Impact Report here. View more Volunteer Spotlights in our blog here.
|
Grow Good Things: Join Our MetroParks Gardening Crew!
Summer is here, and it's the perfect season to get outside, get involved, and grow something meaningful - both in our gardens and in your own community. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just curious about how plants grow, we've got a spot ready for you!
From the vibrant rows of vegetables at Carriage Hill Farm and Possum Creek, to the blooming beds at Aullwood Garden, Cox Arboretum, RiverScape, and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks, our parks flourish because of volunteers like you.
Gardening with us means more than pulling weeds or planting flowers - It's about learning new skills, connecting with nature, and becoming a part of something bigger. We welcome all experience levels and provide everything you need to get started.
Learn more and get started by clicking the blue "VOLUNTEER" button below.
 Service Saturdays:
Join us for a fun and rewarding morning at the parks on the third Saturday of each month from 9am-Noon, May through September. It's a great opportunity to spend a few hours giving back to our community and making a positive impact on our beautiful parks. Whether you're removing invasive species and maintaining gardens, you'll leave with a sense of pride and a new glow, knowing you've contributed to something special. Plus, you'll still have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your Saturday! Look for projects at Cox Arboretum and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks this month! Learn more and get started by clicking the blue "VOLUNTEER" button below.
|
Historic Interpreters Needed! Shadow Experiences Available!
Are you interested in history? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a homesteader? This could be a perfect opportunity for you to learn and demonstrate simple everyday farm tasks.
Volunteers at the Daniel Arnold Historic Farm at Carriage Hill MetroPark embrace the spirit of the 1880's as Historic Interpreters, immersing visitors in a captivating journey through time. They create a vibrant connection to the rich history of Carriage Hill, allowing guests to experience the daily rhythms and challenges of life on a bustling 1880's working farm. Volunteers bring this farm to life, inviting everyone to engage with the traditions, stories, and charm of a bygone era.
Historic Interpreters are long-term volunteers who commit to regular ongoing service at the historic farm. Their dedicated ongoing support is what makes the historic farm possible. Join this incredible team! Learn more and get started by completing a simple training available online. Then, schedule an in-person Shadow Experience well you'll learn alongside a staff member or qualified volunteer. To see if this is right for you, simply click the blue "VOLUNTEER" button below.
Program Support: Try Paddlesports
Join us in making a meaningful difference as a Program Support Volunteer for our paddling opportunities! Your involvement is essential for delivering high-quality and engaging programming to the public.
As a volunteer assisting with paddlesport classes and activities, you will help with important tasks such as fitting life jackets, assisting participants in selecting boats, and ensuring the safe entry and exit from the boats. Additionally, you'll monitor participants in the water to keep them safe, all while contributing to memorable experiences for our community.
View and learn more about these program support volunteer opportunities and respond by clicking the blue "VOLUNTEER" button below.
Fishing Program Support
Are you a fishing enthusiast? Would you like to help newcomers learn about the fun they can have fishing while helping them build their skills? Fishing Program Support volunteers provide support during a variety of fishing programs to help participants learn the basics of baiting, casting, fish handling and more.
By volunteering, you will help ensure that each participant receives assistance and has a fun experience learning something new in a safe, supportive environment. You'll also have the chance to build your skills alongside our Outdoor Recreation team.
You do not need to be an expert to support these opportunities, but some experience is a plus. Join us in helping our community experience the joy of fishing with Five Rivers MetroParks! Learn more and respond by clicking the blue "VOLUNTEER" button below.
|
Volunteer Appreciation
Thanks and Gratitude for Our Volunteers!
Spring is a busy season, and in May, we had not one, but two special events: Bike to Work Day and Passport to MetroParks that required a large number of volunteers. Volunteers, long-term and public/single day volunteers, play a vital role in supporting events from set up through tear down including registration, sustainability, program activity areas, and hospitality.
Our volunteers did not let us down! Each event was well supported with the volunteers showing up as early as 5:30am with smiles on their faces ready to pitch in and make a difference. We had 37 volunteers come out to support Bike to Work Day and over 50 signed up for Passport to MetroParks.
Their support is what makes each MetroPark event feel special and why each event runs so smoothly. We truly could not host these events without them. Thank you, volunteers, for coming out again and again to support these and so many more special events throughout the year!       
Volunteer Benefits
Request your VIP Items - volunteer milestone pins and apparel here and don't forget to use your volunteer discount for MetroParks programs and routine rentals including shelters and campsites! Need help with your VIP items or volunteer discount? Contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org.
|
