Possum Creek MetroPark offers a blend of nature, history and community for adults and children alike. 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
Horticulture at Five Rivers MetroParks creates, maintains, and preserves green space and habitats for pollinators and native plants, as well as 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
- Volunteer will support general garden maintenance and seasonal preparation, including soil work, weeding, and bed upkeep in the demonstration garden and around the farm, including near the nature play and farmhouse.
- Volunteer will assist with planting and plant care, including relocating, dividing, and arranging garden beds and perennials.
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 Possum Creek MetroPark. Volunteers should follow signs that say "Farm" or "Education Building" (4790 Frytown Rd., Dayton, OH 45417). Continue to the parking lot at the end of the park road. From there, the Possum Creek Demonstration Garden is located across from the white farmhouse, near the white barn and chicken coop. 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 project staff lead Kaitlyn Lowry at 937-276-7053.
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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 bending, kneeling, twisting, reaching, walking on potentially uneven terrain, and lifting objects of 25 lbs or more in direct sunlight.
- 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 and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Learn more about the 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.


