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Volunteer

Partnering with Citizens to Improve our Parks

You’re invited to join the ranks of dedicated people volunteering in the Des Moines parks. Volunteers supplement Park and Recreation staff while bringing creativity and vitality to our organization. The efforts of volunteering enhance our park system and benefit our volunteers by helping citizens give back to the community while meeting new friends, learning new skills and even building résumés. Volunteering in the parks is a gift that benefits the entire community.

Upcoming Opportunities

Woodland Restoration in Greenwood & Ashworth Parks

Saturday, May 17th starting at 9:00 a.m.
Meet at the Ashworth Pool parking lot – 45th Street south of Grand

Help clear the invasive garlic mustard plant from our parkland. It’s easy to identify and easy to pull. Gather your family, friends, club and neighbors to come help! Garlic mustard is a non-native, invasive plant that is out competing our native plants and trees. Sierra Club members will be there to show you what the plant looks like and where to work. Slopes in the park are moderately difficult to hike. Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Coffee, snacks and bags will be provided.

Adopt our Plots – Des Moines Municipal Cemeteries

Now through October
Glendale, Oak Grove, Sims, Laurel Hill, Woodland and St. Ambrose Cemeteries

Enjoy the peace and serenity of your historic surroundings while maintaining and preserving monuments and plots as a volunteer steward of Des Moines’ cemeteries. Picking up litter, trimming around monuments, cutting back dead flowers, and monitoring for holes, sunken grave stones and vandalism are some of the small tasks to complete on a monthly or weekly basis depending on the block you choose. Blocks range from ¼ acre to an acre. Schedule a regular time that works best for you, your family or your group.

Gray’s Lake Prairie Stewards and Flowerbed Tenders Sought

Weekly - now through September
Gray’s Lake & Meredith Trail

Become part of habitat restoration at one of our most urban but also biologically unique parks in Des Moines. Staff has been restoring native wildflowers and grasses to the park and trails in prairie patches and ornamental flower beds. Help us in our efforts to bring back the deep-rooted prairie plants that help decrease maintenance, improve water quality and diversify wildlife such as butterflies and birds visiting our park. Individuals, families or groups are asked to tend to their plot on a weekly basis to assist with mulching, pruning, watering, monitoring, seed collection and weeding as necessary. Gardening experience helpful, but not necessary. In addition to learning more about native plants, you’ll receive a free ½ hour boat rental for every 15 hours of service (boats include kayaks, canoes and peddle boats). Gardening supplies and refreshments provided. Volunteer shifts are Wednesday 7a.m. – 9 p.m., Tuesday/Thursday 12:00 – 1:00, or Saturday morning 7:00 – 9:00 or 8:00 – 10:00. Other time options may be available – let us know what works best for you.

Volunteer to Learn About Urban Water Quality

Wednesday May 21, 8:30 am to 2:00 pm
Des Moines Park Sites: Birdland marina, Harman Park Creek, Waveland Golf Course Pond, Witmer Park Pond, and Greenwood Park Pond.

The spring 2008 Polk County Water Quality Snapshot begins the fifth year of sampling rivers, streams and lakes in Polk County. The snapshot is conducted twice a year in the spring and fall. In the first 4 years over 150 volunteers have helped collect water samples at 70 sites on rivers, streams and lakes throughout the county. Three main goals of the project are: 1. Involve the public and re-energize volunteer water monitors in Polk Co.; 2. Determine bacteria levels in small urban streams; and 3. Evaluate nutrient impacts to water from lawns, gardens, golf courses, etc. Sample kits and monitoring instructions will be provided, along with a brief training session. No prior training is required, but individuals trained in the IOWATER volunteer monitoring program are especially encouraged to participate. The U.S. Geological Survey Bureau will also be sampling the same day on the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Preregistration is required. Join in the fun and help us learn more about the water quality in Polk County!

Welcome Summer Celebration

Friday, May 30th - 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Brooks Community Center, 2100 SE 5th

Help us celebrate the coming of summer! We are looking for volunteers to assist with this new special event that includes carnival games, flea market, jumping house, and other informational and family-oriented activities. Free refreshments provided.

Nitefall on the River - Free Music to Those that Lend a Hand

Thursdays, June 5th - July 31st - 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater

Des Moines Park and Recreation is gearing up for another summer series of outdoor concerts featuring a mix of music including jazz, blues, folk, and more. A variety of volunteer tasks are available including assisting concert goers' entry into the event, helping with concessions, and overseeing activities for children under 12 years of age.

Volunteers receive a free pass into the concert that evening (after volunteer tasks have been completed) as well as free non-alcoholic drinks and dinner during their break. Sign up for one or all eight concerts

Have an idea of your own or know of a group you want to get involved in volunteering?

We can tailor a project to meet the needs of your group. We have a large variety of projects including working in the greenhouse, carpentry and painting in the parks, removing invasive species from park wooded areas, trails clean-up, water quality monitoring, plant or garden tending, pruning and mulching of trees and winterization assistance. We're open to your ideas too.

More Information

Volunteer opportunities are available for groups, individuals, seniors, youth, families... anyone seeking to improve our parks. Park staff work with volunteers at all times. Training and supplies needed for the project is provided on site. To volunteer complete our Volunteer Application:

Click here to fill out the online PDF form
Click here to download Word document