We need your muscle to support our gardens! RiverScape MetroPark offers a place for those who live, work, and play downtown to connect to nature 365 days a year. Situated along the banks of the Great Miami River and along the Great Miami River Bikeway, and filled with lush seasonal gardens, this park attracts paddlers, cyclists, eventgoers and garden enthusiasts alike. Your participation in this Make A Difference Day volunteer service project supports this beautiful and vibrant community space allowing MetroParks to continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature downtown.
Impact
Gardening volunteers support our horticulture and education staff in caring for a variety of gardens throughout our parks. These gardens not only provide beautiful spaces for Miami Valley residents to get outside, explore, and connect to nature, but many also provide fresh local produce to those in need in our community.
Tasks
Under the supervision of the assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:
- mulch the landscape beds in the park to prepare for the winter season.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to individuals, 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 & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Riverscape MetroPark. Volunteers should meet with the staff lead at the Bike Hub/Cafe Area at RiverScape Metropark. Parking can be found at the Five Rivers MetroParks Main Office at 409 East Monument Ave, Dayton, OH 45402. Volunteers should print a parking pass and place it on the dash of their vehicle. Click here to download a temporary volunteer parking pass.
- Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please call project staff lead, Jeffrey Lean, 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 and situational allergies (i.e. grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and can expect to participate in walking, bending, and lifting wheelbarrows full of mulch up to 60lbs. 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.
Learn more about Gardening 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.

