Support for Parks, Trails & Off Leash Areas
Volunteers help keep Bend’s parks, trails and off leash areas beautiful places for everyone to enjoy!
- home
- Volunteer with BPRD
- Volunteering with Parks & Trails
Volunteering with Parks & Trails
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.
BPRD Hosted Volunteer Project Days – Spring/Summer 2025
Join the BPRD natural resources and trails team to pull weeds, remove trash, close off unofficial trails, and plant native vegetation at a variety of volunteer project days.
Check back in mid-April for more details about these projects and a link to sign up to volunteer.
Saturday, May 17 – Trail Clean-up Day
Location and work planned: TBD
Saturday, May 31 – National Trails Day
Location and work planned: TBD
Saturday, June 28– Weed Pull
Location: TBD
In partnership with Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and the Deschutes River Cleanup event.
Saturday, July 19 – Weed Pull at Big Sky Park
Volunteers will work with staff to hand pull invasive weeds.
Saturday, August 16 – Weed Pull at Discovery West area trails
Volunteers will work with staff to hand pull invasive weeds.
Saturday, October 18 – Alpenglow Park
Restoration work and pollinator planting.
For more information about adopting a park or trail or scheduling a project for your group, contact:
Use this contact form to send an
