Volunteer Opportunities

Pitch in year–round!

For clubs, school groups, church groups, alumni reunions or youth groups. Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes. Bring a snack and a drink. For more information, or to schedule your group, send us a detailed email at volunteer@VCPark.org or call (718) 543-1428.

Salad Spin and Pull
May–September
Some weeds that invade the forest actually escaped from home gardens! Safe and easy to remove, even kindergarteners have great success eradicating these unwanted plants. Our staff can identify which weeds are edible, so bring a bowl and a fork (maybe even some dressing!) for a full–blown tasting.
Ages: 5 and up

Free the Trees!
January – December
At first glance, the forest looks green and healthy. Look a little closer and you’ll see invasive vines choking the life out of many native trees and shrubs. With your help, we can free the trees and help them breathe easy.
Ages: 13 and up

Golden Gloves Bout
May – September
Wetland areas support a variety of wildlife and are an integral part of our environment’s overall health. Tough plants called Phragmites grow strong, like a towering grove of bamboo, pushing out everything in their midst–throwing the wetland out of balance. Pull on your gloves and knock out this bully so other plants stand a fighting chance.
Ages: 13 and up

Plant–a–Pot/ Fill–a–Spot
April – June; September – November
Once the invasive plants have been removed from the woodlands, we need to fill the holes with native plants. Pick a pot, complete with native shrub or sapling, and plant it! These babies will grow up to be the park’s next generation of magnificent trees.
Ages: 13 and up

Bodacious Herbaceous Planting
April – June; September – November
Herbs provide important ground cover that discourages invasive plants from taking root, helps control erosion and provides habitat and food for wildlife. They are also beautiful and fragrant. Come plant herbs in the woodland to add beauty and health to the forest ecosystem.
Ages: 13 and up

Chip It Good
April – November
Spreading wood chips makes the trails look great and helps protect them. They help stop the rain from washing away soil and when broken down, wood chips provide food for plants and tiny organisms.
Ages: 8 and up

You–Haul
All year, weather permitting
Need a set of tires? A pair of old boots? How about a car engine? Believe it or not, these are just a few of the many discarded items we find in the park every day. Some people think it is okay to use the park as a dump, but you know better. Help us haul out the heaps of waste and together we can defeat these litterbugs.
ADULTS ONLY

Erosion Control
April – November
Erosion is an ongoing process, constantly working against our best efforts to keep the park’s ecosystem healthy and lovely. Taking precious topsoil away from some places and depositing it elsewhere, erosion makes it difficult to keep plants in place and healthy. By introducing jute netting and using other simple methods we can control erosion, allowing native plants to move in.
Ages: 15 and up

Clear Ahead
June – October
Overgrown plants thrive in the extra sunlight of summer and fall, and crowd out trails. Help cut back excessive plant growth so hikers and strollers can easily use the trails to enjoy Van Cortlandt’s many lovely natural areas.
Ages: 13 and up

Paint It Black (… or Green or Silver)
April – October
Pour it, brush it, roll it, sponge it! A layer of paint keeps wooden bench slats from rotting, metal light poles and fences from rusting, and graffiti from offending. There are so many places and ways to paint the park that all provide immediate satisfaction!
Ages: 13 and up

A Rake’s Progress
September – November
There’s always a corner of the park where autumn leaves still cover the grass. Armed with fan rakes, collect and gather leaves. We’ll transport them to our valued compost piles where old leaves decay and after many months are ready to enrich the soil in horticultural areas throughout the park.
Ages: 13 and up

Flower Planting
April – June; September – November
When they flower, fall bulbs and spring annuals add color and life to outdoor spaces. Our gardener will guide you in planting in the park’s most visible places.
Limited Availability
Ages: 13 and up

Cross Country Trail Repair
April – June; September – November
Clear the paths for sure–footedness. Correct trip hazards by filling gullies that develop from storm run off or cutting exposed filter fabric; shovel silt from swales and drains; and replace stone dust on the center of the trail.
Ages: 15 and up

Ushering
Special Event Dates
Escort concert goers from the street to the site of music and dance concerts in the park. Your elbow and kind words assist people in attending cultural activities they might otherwise not venture out to.
Ages: 15 and up