Volunteering with MetroParks offers numerous benefits:
- Spending time outside in nature
- Fitting in a good work out
- Connecting with like-minded individuals and making new friends? Check!
- Learning something new or build your skills
- Finding ways to give back that can fit into your schedule
- Making a lasting difference you can actually experience when you visit the parks
In my opinion, there’s no better way to give back to the Dayton area and many of our volunteers share this sentiment:
“Five Rivers MetroParks is truly a gem in our community,” said MetroParks volunteer Kathleen Shanahan-Aughe. “Spending time outdoors - particularly in the woods – is good for my soul because I find such peace and enjoyment on the trails. Tt is important to me to help provide the same opportunity for others, whether as a friendly face when someone is unsure about the trails in the parks or by notifying MetroParks staff when trail conditions need attention.”
Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals, adults and youth ages 14 and up. Additionally, families with children under age 14 (accompanied by a parent or adult guardian), groups and those seeking court-appointed volunteer service are welcome. Commitments range from single-day public opportunities to short-term opportunities lasting a semester or season, and even ongoing long-term opportunities for a year or more. We also provide flexible and unscheduled volunteer opportunities, as well as many indoor opportunities available year-round!
All of MetroParks’ volunteer opportunities fall under nine main categories called “volunteer positions:”
- Administration
- Ambassador
- Animal Care
- Conservation
- Gardening
- Park Maintenance
- Programming
- Skilled Trades
- Special Events
We invite you to meet one-on-one with a member of our dedicated volunteer services team at an upcoming in-person Volunteer Open House this winter. These events are a fantastic opportunity to learn more about volunteering with MetroParks, ask questions and get assistance finding the right opportunity for you.
New for 2025, MetroParks is offering new volunteer information sessions. Each quarter, we will host an in-person information session called “Five Rivers MetroParks Volunteerism” to highlight the various ways community members can support our parks and how to get started as a new volunteer. People can attend without any commitment to volunteering. These short sessions will be run by our volunteer services team and will be followed by an optional Volunteer Open House, allowing interested participants to get started right away as our newest Five Rivers MetroParks volunteers.
Thanks to community support, we can continue to provide amazing parks, facilities, programs and events in 2025.
To learn more and explore volunteer opportunities, visit MetroParks’ Get Connected site at www.metroparks.org/volunteer.
Jenny Hymans is the Volunteer and Human Resources Manager for Five Rivers MetroParks.