Opportunities From: Five Rivers MetroParks

Do you enjoy gardening, or are you curious to learn more about native plants and sustainable horticulture? Join the knowledgeable staff and fellow volunteers at Aullwood Garden MetroPark and get hands-on experience caring for one of Dayton’s premier historic garden estates. Help bring Marie Aull’s vision to life by supporting gardening practices rooted in local conservation, all within a peaceful setting along the Stillwater River.

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

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

garden and landscape bed clean-up, weeding, edging, mulching, and time-sensitive invasive plant removal preparing the garden beds, plant containers, and Aull House for seasonal programs and events, as needed caring for plants in the Aull House, as requested kneeling, stretching, and lifting 20 pounds will be required. be detail-oriented, follow instructions, and have a willingness to learn. utilize a variety of hand tools, including soil knives, spades, pruners, loppers, shovels, and rakes. provide excellent customer service by assisting park visitors with questions and wayfinding. Eligibility This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Adults (ages 18 and older), Long-Term. Learn more about our types of service here.  This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours. Additional Notes: Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Aullwood Garden MetroPark. Volunteers should park at the Aullwood Maintenance Building: 930 Aullwood Rd, Dayton, OH 45414. The turn-in for the Maintenance Building appears quickly as you round the curve on Aullwood Road - Drive slowly and safely. Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please contact 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.), and can expect to participate in routine bending, kneeling, reaching, dragging, and lifting objects of 15lbs.   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.  Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Gardening Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.

Do you enjoy customer service and long drives? Experience the changing seasons as you drive a designated route through the parks delivering mail to park staff. Courier volunteers start at the MetroParks Main Office to gather mail, then drive a MetroParks vehicle between park offices delivering packages, mail, and other items.

NORTH PARKS ROUTE: 8:30 - 11:30am

Eastwood/Huffman Carriage Hill Taylorsville Englewood/Aullwood Garden Wegerzyn Gardens Central

SOUTH PARKS ROUTE: 1:00 - 4:00pm

Adventure Central / Wesleyan Possum Creek MetroPark Twin Valley / Germantown  Cox Arboretum  Impact

Volunteers provide quality administrative support to MetroParks staff, which enhances the efficiency of our operations and allows staff to dedicate more time to driving our mission forward.

Tasks Provide excellent customer service.  Be courteous and helpful to the general public, volunteers, and staff. Sort and distribute packages, mail, and other items. Regularly lift 10-15 pounds and occasionally lift as much as 25 pounds. Practice safe driving habits at all times. Practice confidentiality regarding all MetroParks personnel and business matters. Refuel vehicle at pre-identified locations during each shift. Complete vehicle use forms each shift and report any vehicle malfunction or service needs to Staff Lead immediately. Maintain open communication with the Staff Lead at all times. Eligibility This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long Term ages 18 and up who have trained and qualified as Volunteer Couriers. Learn more about our types of service here.This opportunity is currently not open for new volunteers. Additional Notes Commitment: Due to the training time invested in this opportunity, we are asking volunteers to commit to 1 year of service as a regularly scheduled Volunteer Courier. Volunteers must maintain a Valid Ohio driver’s license, provide proof of insurance, and submit a driver’s screening. Volunteers must submit to a standard drug test in the event of an accident. Parking and Meeting Instructions: Volunteers can park their vehicles in the MetroParks Main office lot, as long as a MetroParks Volunteer Hangtag is displayed in the front windshield.  Check in with the Visitor Services staff at the Main Office front desk upon arrival. Dress: Volunteers must wear a volunteer nametag and a high-visibility vest. Volunteers must carry a mobile phone during their shift for use in the event of an emergency. Cancelation: Email the list of Courier Volunteers to arrange a shift swap or a substitute. Notify the staff lead and Volunteer Coordinator of a shift swap, substitution, or cancellation with as much advance notice as possible. If you must cancel a shift less than 48 hours before the shift start time, please unregister your shift from Get Connected, AND call the staff lead. Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Administration Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and help care for a truly special landscape. Volunteers on this project support restoration gardening work on the historic Aullwood Rock Hillside, helping preserve a garden shaped by John and Marie Aull and guided by original photographs and Marie’s journals. This hands-on work plays an important role in maintaining the character and beauty of this unique hillside garden.

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

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

assist with clearing out invasives, soil amendments, and stabilizing the hillside to protect the trees above.re-establish the rock garden tiers while also adding as historically accurate as possible plants that Marie had within the rock garden beds. Eligibility This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Adults (ages 18 and older), Long-Term. Learn more about our types of service here.  This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours. Additional Notes: Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Aullwood Garden MetroPark. Volunteers should park at the Aullwood Maintenance Building: 930 Aullwood Rd, Dayton, OH 45414. The turn-in for the Maintenance Building appears quickly as you round the curve on Aullwood Road - Drive slowly and safely. Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please contact 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.), and can expect to participate in routine bending, kneeling, reaching, lifting objects of 15 lbs. or more, twisting, working on uneven terrain, and on a hillside. 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.  Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Gardening Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.