Possum Creek MetroPark offers a blend of nature, history, and community for adults and children alike. Volunteers will help with end-of-season cleanup in the Demonstration Garden, helping prepare this space for programming, school tours, park visitors, and a successful 2027 growing season. No gardening experience is needed, just a willingness to learn by doing! Your participation in a Make a Difference Day volunteer service project allows MetroParks to continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.
Impact
Horticulture at Five Rivers MetroParks creates, maintains, and preserves green space and habitats for pollinators and native plants and educates visitors on sustainable gardening practices and local food production. Gardening volunteers support the Horticulture and Outdoor Connections staff in a variety of gardening tasks.
Tasks
Under the supervision of the assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:
- Assisting with end-of-season garden cleanup and preparation, including removing plant debris, weeding, amending and maintaining garden beds and compost, refreshing garden paths, preparing and storing plants for next season, and completing other planting and garden maintenance tasks as needed.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to individuals, families, groups, public, long-term and short-term volunteers, ages 14 and up. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.
- 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 and Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Possum Creek MetroPark. Volunteers should park in the parking lot near the Farm Shelter. Enter the park at 4790 Frytown Rd., Dayton, OH 45417, and follow the main park drive until it dead-ends into the farm parking lot. 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.
- Please note: If you search 'Possum Creek Farm' in Google, it may take you to an old entrance to the farm off Shank Road. Be sure to enter the park using the main entrance off Frytown Road.
- Cancellation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call the staff lead, Kaitlyn Lowry at 937-276-7053.
- 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 and situational allergies (i.e., farm animals, hay, grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and can expect to participate in bending, kneeling, digging, pulling, walking and lifting objects 15lbs or more.
- 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, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes, and have your favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Gardening Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.
