Opportunities From: Five Rivers MetroParks

Come learn, grow, and give back to the trails you love with this exciting trail maintenance volunteer opportunity! Led by our Trail staff, these trail maintenance opportunities will focus on revitalizing the trail systems in Englewood MetroPark. Learn alongside like-minded individuals on the whys and how's of building and maintaining a sustainable trail system on these hands-on workdays.

Impact

Volunteers who support Trail Maintenance help MetroParks provide safe, consistent, and high-quality trail experiences for visitors with varied interests and levels of abilities in a manner that protects and sustains the natural resources and habitats at each park.

Tasks

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, support and assist with the following:

​Basic trail maintenance at Englewood MetroPark; Corridor clearing, drainage clearing, tread maintenance, and invasive removal.

Eligibility This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term, Short-Term, Adults. Learn more about our types of service here.Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Englewood MetroPark. Volunteers should park at the Englewood Park Office: 987 Pattys Rd, Vandalia, OH 45377.Environment & Physical Demands:  This project takes place outdoors - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and can expect to participate in hiking long distances, bending, kneeling, reaching, dragging, and lifting objects of 15 lbs. The terrain is regularly uneven and muddy, with steep and slippery slopes. You must wear hiking boots. Volunteers will be working in all weather conditions.  Cancelation:  If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please call Dan Spaugy at (937) 277-4133.Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants and closed-toe, sturdy hiking boots, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. ​Please wear your volunteer t-shirt and name tag. Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Park Maintenance Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information. 

​The 2nd Street Market supports small, local entrepreneurs with a strong emphasis on food, agriculture, gardening, and home decor in an atmosphere that provides a comfortable and inviting gathering place for the diverse population of the greater Dayton area. Our 2nd Street Market is looking for WEEKEND custodial support to help us keep the place sparkling clean. Not only will you get to flex your cleaning muscles, but you'll get to meet and interact with some amazing people from your community.

Impact

Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback-riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.

Tasks

Under the supervision of the Staff Lead, support and assist with the following:

keeping the Market tidy during operational hours, as well as light sweeping, table cleaning, and helping with trash removal after closing. Eligibility This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term, Short-Term, and Youth.  Learn more about our types of service here.
Youth Volunteers: Youth volunteers ages 14-17 are not required to complete a background check. If you are a new youth volunteer, contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org to have your background check waived.  Additional Notes: Parking & Meeting Instructions: There is free parking available in the Market lot or street parking nearby: 600 East 2nd Street, Dayton, OH 45402. Please enter through the Market office entrance (the door nearest Webster Street), where you will meet with Market Manager, Lynda Suda, or Market Coordinator, Sally Leatherman.Environmental & Physical Demands: This project takes place primarily indoors; However, you will be outside occasionally. Volunteers should dress for the weather and plan for and be aware of possible indoor allergies (i.e., dust). You can expect to participate in walking, bending, standing, reaching, and/or lifting objects of 30lbs. or more during your volunteer shift.  Cancelation:  If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please call Lynda Suda at 937-228-2088. Dress: Volunteers should dress to be indoors; However, you may occasionally walk trash out to the dumpster or need to complete outdoor tasks, so please be prepared for the weather. Please wear comfortable shoes, too! Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Park Maintenance Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information

Come learn, grow, and give back to the trails you love with this exciting trail maintenance volunteer opportunity! Led by our Trail staff, these trail maintenance opportunities will focus on revitalizing the trail systems in the Twin Valley. Learn alongside like-minded individuals on the why’s and hows of building and maintaining a sustainable trail system on these hands-on workdays.

Impact

Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback-riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy. Volunteers who support Trail Maintenance help MetroParks provide safe, consistent, and high-quality trail experiences for visitors with varied interests and levels of abilities in a manner that protects and sustains the natural resources and habitats at each park.

Tasks

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, support and assist with the following:

​Basic trail maintenance in the Twin Valley; Corridor clearing, drainage clearing, and tread maintenance.

Eligibility This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term, Short-Term, Adults. Learn more about our types of service here.Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Germantown MetroPark. Volunteers should park and meet staff at the Germantown Maintenance parking lot located at 6675 Conservancy Rd, Germantown, OH 45327, and look for the 'Volunteer Event' signage.  Environment & Physical Demands:  Hiking long distances alone or with a group. The terrain is regularly uneven and muddy, with steep and slippery slopes. You must wear hiking boots. Volunteers will be working in all weather conditions. Routinely bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects of 15 lbs or more. Cancelation:  If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call Park Manager Chris Landis at (937) 277-4159.Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants and closed-toe, sturdy hiking boots, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. ​ Please wear your volunteer name badge and, if you have one, your green or blue volunteer shirt. Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Park Maintenance Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information. 

Aullwood Garden MetroPark offers a collection of wildflowers, beautiful gardens, and natural areas for visitors to enjoy. Your participation in an Adopt-A-Park volunteer service project helps MetroParks continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.

Impact

Protecting open space and natural areas is a priority for Five Rivers MetroParks, which protects nearly 16,000 acres of land — 90 percent of it in its natural state. Conservation volunteers are a part of our regional conservation story by assisting in implementing a variety of natural area management plans.

Tasks   Volunteers will assist with invasive plant removal, planting trees, and possibly mulching of flower beds. Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individuals, groups, public, long-term and short-term volunteers, ages 14 and up.

Background Check: We do not require a background check for our public volunteer opportunities; however, persons with a criminal record may be disqualified and prohibited from service. Please review our background check policy here. For those required to complete Court Appointed Community Service, please click here. Additional NotesParking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Aullwood Garden MetroPark. Meet at the Aullwood Garden Wiles Creek Parking Lot (lower dam), located at 955 Aullwood Road. Staff will meet volunteers at the parking lot and then lead the volunteers to the designated backwoods areas to be worked in. Please plan to arrive about 10 minutes before your shift to allow time for parking, check-in, and connecting with the staff lead. Look for 'Volunteer Event' signage. Cancelation:  If you need to cancel your shift at the last minute or are running late, please call the staff lead, Beth Langford, at 937-718-5658. Environment & Physical Demands: This project takes place outdoors - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e.,  grass, pollen, bees, etc.). Volunteers can expect to participate in kneeling, lifting, dragging, reaching, bending, and hiking on trails with inclines, in off-trail areas that may have poison ivy and thorny plant material.If you would like to request a service accommodation to volunteer at this opportunity, please contact Volunteer Services at least 1 week before the scheduled opportunity. Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, a water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. 

Learn more about Park Maintenance opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Englewood MetroPark offers a serene setting for fishing, birdwatching, and picnicking, and invites visitors to discover the beauty of its woodlands, meadows, and three waterfalls. Your participation in an Adopt-A-Park volunteer service project helps MetroParks continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.

Impact

Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback-riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.

Tasks   Last year, the Green Trail was rerouted, and the old stairs leading down to Martindale Falls were decommissioned. The stairs have been removed from the hill and are in a pile at the bottom of the falls. Volunteers will work to take the old boards up the hill. Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individuals, groups, public, long-term and short-term volunteers, ages 14 and up.

Background Check: We do not require a background check for our public volunteer opportunities; however, persons with a criminal record may be disqualified and prohibited from service. Please review our background check policy here. For those required to complete Court Appointed Community Service, please click here.Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here to view a map of Englewood MetroPark. Limited Parking will be available off the Martindale Curve (696 Martindale Road). Please try to carpool as space is limited. Please plan to arrive about 10 minutes before your shift to allow time for parking, check-in, and connecting with the staff lead. Look for 'Volunteer Event' signage. Cancelation:  If you need to cancel your shift at the last minute or are running late, please call the staff lead, Daniel Spaugy at 937-277-4133. Environment & Physical Demands: ​​​​This project takes place outdoors - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.). Volunteers can expect to participate in bending, kneeling, twisting, reaching, and walking on potentially uneven terrain. Volunteers will need to be able to carry up to 15 pounds up a hill. Volunteers will need to be comfortable maneuvering up a hill with boards in their hands. If you would like to request a service accommodation in order to volunteer at this opportunity, please contact Volunteer Services at least 1 week before the scheduled opportunity. Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. 

Learn more about Park Maintenance opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Hills & Dales MetroPark offers a historical urban forest that has been a natural refuge for Daytonians since 1907. Your participation in an Adopt-A-Park volunteer service project helps MetroParks continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.

Impact

Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback-riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.

Tasks   Cutting, dragging, and removing invasive plant species, such as honeysuckle, around the natural trails near Paw Paw Camp. Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individuals, groups, public, long-term and short-term volunteers, ages 14 and up.

Background Check: We do not require a background check for our public volunteer opportunities; however, persons with a criminal record may be disqualified and prohibited from service. Please review our background check policy here. For those required to complete Court Appointed Community Service, please click here.Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Hills & Dales MetroPark. Volunteers should park in the Paw Paw Camp parking lot at 2471 Deep Hollow Rd., Oakwood, OH 45419. Please plan to arrive about 10 minutes before your shift to allow time for parking, check-in, and connecting with the staff lead. Look for 'Volunteer Event' signage.Cancelation:  If you need to cancel your shift at the last minute or are running late, please call Volunteer Coordinator, Allie Zimmerman, at (419) 953-3881. Environment & Physical Demands: ​​This project takes place outdoors - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and can expect to participate in walking, bending, kneeling, and pulling, lifting objects of 15lbs. or more.If you would like to request a service accommodation to volunteer at this opportunity, please contact Volunteer Services at least 1 week before the scheduled opportunity. Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. 

Learn more about Conservation opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Amid the beautifully landscaped gardens, flowering pots, hanging baskets, and reflecting pools, this lively park on the banks of the Great Miami River offers a place for those who live, work, and play downtown to connect to nature. RiverScape preserves glimpses of the city’s origins while embracing modern innovation and evolving with the needs of the vibrant, connected neighborhoods around it. Your participation in an Adopt-A-Park volunteer service project helps MetroParks continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.

Impact

Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback-riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.

Tasks   Volunteers will be picking up litter and debris along the river. Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individuals, families, groups, public, long-term and short-term volunteers, ages 10 and up.

Background Check: We do not require a background check for our public volunteer opportunities; however, persons with a criminal record may be disqualified and prohibited from service. Please review our background check policy here. For those required to complete Court Appointed Community Service, please click here. Family Volunteers: This opportunity is family-friendly. Families with youth volunteers under the age of 14 are welcome to volunteer. The family must include one parent or guardian per 3 children who engage in service and assume supervisory responsibility for the children during volunteer service.Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Riverscape MetroPark. Volunteers should park at the Five Rivers MetroPark Main Office parking lot off Water Street, in the Upper Parking Lot (409 East Monument Avenue, Dayton, OH 45402) - See the image below for reference. You may also park along E. Monument or S. Patterson and meet the staff at Riverscape Bike Hub (237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton, OH 45402). Participants must walk from the parking location to meet at the RiverScape Bike Hub. Look for the 'Volunteer Event' signage. CLICK HERE to download and print the PARKING PASS for parking at 409 E. Monument Ave Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call project staff lead Jeffrey Leen at   937-510-0343. Environment & Physical Demands: ​​This project takes place outdoors. Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and can expect to participate in walking, bending, kneeling, pulling, and lifting objects 15 lbs or more. If you would like to request a service accommodation to volunteer at this opportunity, please contact Volunteer Services at least 1 week before the scheduled opportunity. Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. 

Learn more about Park Maintenance opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

 

Germantown MetroPark is your gateway to a wilderness adventure. Discover the largest areas of old-growth forest within Montgomery County, creating some of the best habitats for wildlife. Your participation in an Adopt-A-Park volunteer service project helps MetroParks continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.

Impact

Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback-riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.

Tasks   Volunteers will use shovels and assorted hand tools to edge around trees in picnic areas and remove excess soil. Then load mulch into wheelbarrows to disperse onto freshly edged landscape beds.  Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individuals, groups, public, long-term and short-term volunteers, ages 14 and up.

Background Check: We do not require a background check for our public volunteer opportunities; however, persons with a criminal record may be disqualified and prohibited from service. Please review our background check policy here. For those required to complete Court Appointed Community Service, please click here. Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Germantown MetroPark. Volunteers should park and meet staff at the Cottonwood Shelter (2nd shelter): 6910 Boomershine Road, Germantown, OH 45327. Please plan to arrive about 10 minutes before your shift to allow time for parking, check-in, and connecting with the staff lead. Look for the 'Volunteer Event' signage.Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call Carl Ketron at (513) 593-2602.Environment & Physical Demands: ​​This project takes place outdoors - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and can expect to participate in walking, bending, kneeling, pulling, and lifting (such as shoveling dirt or pitchforking for mulch) 15 lbs or more. Terrain may be uneven and muddy. If you would like to request a service accommodation to volunteer at this opportunity, please contact Volunteer Services at least 1 week before the scheduled opportunity.Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. 

Learn more about Park Maintenance opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Wesleyan MetroPark provides a gathering spot for friends and family to meet and experience the outdoors just down the street. Your participation in an Adopt-A-Park volunteer service project helps MetroParks continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.

Impact

Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback-riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.

Tasks   Volunteers will be helping staff to spread mulch at the playground at Wesleyan MetroPark. Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individuals, groups, public, long-term and short-term volunteers, ages 14 and up.

Background Check: We do not require a background check for our public volunteer opportunities; however, persons with a criminal record may be disqualified and prohibited from service. Please review our background check policy here. For those required to complete Court Appointed Community Service, please click here.Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Wesleyan MetroPark. Volunteers should park and meet staff in the lower parking lot near the Nature Center building: 1441 Wesleyan Rd., Dayton, OH 45406. Please plan to arrive about 10 minutes before your shift to allow time for parking, check-in, and connecting with the staff lead. Look for the 'Volunteer Event' signage. Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call staff lead Julian White at (937) 274-3172. Environment & Physical Demands: ​​This project takes place outdoors. Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and can expect to participate in walking, bending, kneeling, pulling, and lifting (such as shoveling or wheelbarrowing mulch) 15 lbs or more.If you would like to request a service accommodation to volunteer at this opportunity, please contact Volunteer Services at least 1 week before the scheduled opportunity. Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. 

Learn more about the Park Maintenance opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Huffman MetroPark, by its very name, draws connections to bicycles for local residents. The park and earthen dam within it are named after the Huffman family, founders of the Huffy Bike Corporation back in 1892. Your participation in an Adopt-A-Park volunteer service project helps MetroParks continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.

Impact

Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback-riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.

Tasks   Volunteers will help with painting the guardrails on the bike path. Starting at the dam at the Huffman Maintenance building and working our way down toward the lake.  Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individuals, groups, public, long-term and short-term volunteers, ages 14 and up.

Background Check: We do not require a background check for our public volunteer opportunities; however, persons with a criminal record may be disqualified and prohibited from service. Please review our background check policy here. For those required to complete Court Appointed Community Service, please click here.Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Huffman MetroPark. Volunteers should park and meet staff at the Huffman Maintenance Building: 4300 OH-444, Fairborn, OH 45324. Please plan to arrive about 10 minutes before your shift to allow time for parking, check-in, and connecting with the staff lead. Look for the 'Volunteer Event' signage. Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call staff lead Noah Browning at (937) 312-4153. Environment & Physical Demands: ​​This project takes place outdoors. Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and can expect to participate in walking, bending, kneeling, and lifting 10 lbs or more.If you would like to request a service accommodation to volunteer at this opportunity, please contact Volunteer Services at least 1 week before the scheduled opportunity. Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. Wear clothes you don't mind getting paint on!

Learn more about the Park Maintenance opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.