Volunteering in Parks, Off Leash Areas, Trails and Natural Spaces
Volunteers can get involved with taking care of Bend’s parks, off leash areas, trails and natural spaces to help keep these places beautiful and safe for everyone to enjoy!
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Volunteering with Parks & Trails
Volunteer Project Days
Supporting natural spaces and trails<
Join the BPRD natural resources and trails staff and other volunteers to pull weeds, remove trash, close off unofficial trails, and plant native vegetation at volunteer project days scheduled this spring and summer. Sign up for one or many and help take care of the places we all love.
Saturday, May 17 – Trail Improvement Project at Manzanita Trail – Cancelled
Location: Discovery Park neighborhood, Manzanita Trail in the Westgate area
Time: 9:00 am -12:00 pm
Best for: Adults and children ages 14 and over
Work level: Moderate to heavy
Volunteers will help improve a new section of the Manzanita Trail that connects from this Discovery Park neighborhood to Shevlin Park. Projects include moving branches and rocks, raking dirt and gravel, litter pick up and weed pulling.
Saturday, June 7 – Trail Improvement Project at Shevlin Park
Location: Shevlin Park
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Best for: Adults and children ages 14 and over
Work level: Moderate
In honor of National Trails Day.
Volunteers will assist BPRD staff with cutting overgrown vegetation along the edge of the trail corridor to improve passage. We will be working on multiple trails throughout the park on both flat and more uneven terrain. Projects include trimming vegetation, picking up plant debris, moving small to medium rocks, raking dirt and gravel, litter pick up and weed pulling.
Saturday, June 28 – Weed Pull at Drake Park, trail and boardwalk
Location: Drake Park, boardwalk area
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Best for: Adults and children accompanied by an adult
Work level: Low to moderate
In partnership with Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and the Deschutes River Cleanup event.
Volunteers will help BPRD staff with hand pulling thistles and other noxious weeds growing along the new boardwalk area.
Saturday, July 19 – Weed Pull at Big Sky Park
Location: Big Sky Park
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Work level: Low to moderate
Best for: Adults and children accompanied by an adult
Volunteers will work with BPRD staff to hand pull noxious weeds.
Saturday, August 16 – Weed Pull at Discovery Park West, natural area
Location: Discovery Park West, natural area
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Work level: Low to moderate
Best for: Adults and children accompanied by an adult
Volunteers will work with BPRD staff to hand pull noxious weeds.
Saturday, October 18 – Pollinator Planting at Alpenglow Park
Location: Alpenglow Park
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Work level: Low to moderate
Best for: Adults and children accompanied by an adult
Help plant native vegetation to support area pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and moths.
Important information about volunteering with these projects is available on the SignUp Genius event webpage.
Park Host/Ambassador
Volunteers serve as hosts at community parks including Riley Ranch Nature Reserve, Shevlin Park, Alpenglow Park and Big Sky Park. These hosts offer information about the experiences that are available in the park and share reminders with visitors about park rules. Volunteers do not provide enforcement and need to be able to support a welcoming and inclusive experience for all park users
Volunteer shifts are two hours each week. This opportunity is best for adult volunteers who are comfortable with being outdoors in a park setting in a variety of weather conditions.
Application is required and a criminal history background check is processed prior to volunteering.
Adopt-a-Park, Trail or Off Leash Area
Groups, businesses, schools, families or individuals can adopt a park, off leash area or section of Bend’s urban trail system and help with caretaking for that site. Volunteers are asked to visit regularly all year – picking up litter, pulling weeds and keeping an eye out for vandalism and potential safety concerns.
Current Adopt-a-Park and Trail volunteers: Click here to complete your monthly Adopt-a-Park/Trail Visit Report
Group Park Projects
Volunteer groups can make a big impact by helping with a landscape maintenance project in a park.
Volunteer projects may be available in spring, early summer and fall, depending on current park district needs. When available, projects are generally scheduled for weekdays and are planned for 2-3 hours of volunteer time. The projects offered typically include activities such as picking up litter, pulling weeds, clean up for landscaped and natural areas, and spreading bark mulch. BPRD staff provides support, materials and most tools needed for the project.
For more information about volunteering to support care for parks and trails, contact:
Use this contact form to send an
