Opportunities From: Five Rivers MetroParks

Help support the region's largest outdoor ice rink at RiverScape MetroPark - no skating required! Set against the stunning backdrop of downtown Dayton and the Great Miami River, the rink offers a world-class winter experience. Be part of the magic this winter at RiverScape MetroPark!

Impact

Volunteers enhance the visitor experience by assisting staff in the Rental Office. 

TasksGreet guests at the rentals service window. Hand out and process returned skates.Help with setup and teardown as needed (signs, skate return area, etc.)Help create a warm, friendly, and fun atmosphere at the RiverScape Ice Rink for all our guests.Eligibility  This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term and Short-Term, and Youth. Learn more about our types of service here.Additional Notes Training: Volunteers will receive in-person training at the beginning of their first shift.Parking & Meeting Instructions: Volunteers may park at the Five Rivers MetroParks Main Office parking lot, located at 409 E. Monument Ave, Dayton 45402, with an appropriate volunteer parking pass. Additional street parking is available around RiverScape, and parking meters are free on the weekends. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes before your shift to allow for parking, checking in, and connecting with the staff lead. If you need a volunteer parking pass, please reach out to Volunteer Services at volunteer.service@metroparks.org or call 937-275-7275 and ask to speak with a Volunteer Coordinator.  Cancelation:  If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call the staff lead, James Carter, at 937-277-4359. Environment & Physical Demands: ​​Light physical duties include standing, walking, and light lifting. Aerosol cleaning spray is used to disinfect the ice skates.  Dress: 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 Ambassador Volunteer Position for more information on Ambassador volunteer opportunities with us.

Looking for a way to support MetroParks' gardening efforts in our downtown parks? Do you enjoy promoting beautiful green spaces in an urban setting? Learn and apply effective horticulture techniques with plants chosen for their horticultural benefits, while fostering healthy biodiversity for pollinators.

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 assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

Planting and watering annuals, bulbs, perennials, shrubs, and trees Pruning shrubs and trees Deadheading and cutting back perennials Landscape bed maintenance including mechanical weed and leaf removal, edging and mulching, and other gardening tasks as assigned General litter pickup in and around landscape beds Provide excellent customer service by assisting park visitors with questions/wayfinding

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.  This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours.

Additional Notes:

Please sign up for your volunteer shift at least 2 days in advance.  Parking & Meeting Instructions: RiverScape and Urban Parks Garden Stewards support staff at a variety of downtown MetroParks. You will receive a weekly email from the staff lead with more information on where to meet. Volunteers support the following parks: RiverScape (237 E. Monument - park in a VISITOR SPOT at the Main Office) Deeds Point (510 Webster St - park in a VISITOR SPOT at the Main Office)Note: If visitor parking is not available, you must display your volunteer parking hang tag in your vehicle. Failure to display your volunteer parking hang tag may result in a parking ticket when parking in the Main Office parking lot. If you do not have a volunteer parking hang tag, please contact Volunteer Services. Island (101 E. Helena St.) 2nd St. Market (600 E. 2nd St.) Sunrise (50 S. Edwin C. Moses – contact staff lead for map) Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please call project staff lead, Amy Kennedy, at (937) 789-1085. 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 sometimes lifting objects 25 lbs or more in possibly shaded or direct sunlight. 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 Gardening Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.