Volunteering in a Park

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant."
---Robert Louis Stevenson

Broward County Parks and Recreation Division is a nationally accredited recreation agency dedicated to providing a variety of exceptional programs, services, and facilities essential to the quality of life in Broward County while preserving our natural areas. With regional parks, natural areas, nature centers, and staffed neighborhood parks located throughout the County, we have developed strong ties to our community in order to meet recreational program and service needs.

The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division's Volunteer Program offers students, families, individuals, and small and large groups short-term or long-term opportunities to share their time and talents with the community in a wide variety of interesting and valuable experiences. Several volunteer opportunities are available throughout Broward County Parks. No previous experience is necessary, and we are ready to provide training and assistance with any opportunity you choose.

Setting the bar high for other corporations, Motorola Corporation has been sending employees to the parks for several years for a "day of service."  Click here to see photos of this year's Global Day of Service.

By volunteering only a few hours a week you can:

• Educate the public about the ecology, sensitivity, and importance of South Florida's remaining natural areas.
• Help the environment by volunteering to clear natural areas of trash and invasive plants by participating in Eco-Action Days.
• Assist a child with one-on-one homework help and build his/her self-esteem.
• Develop leadership and customer-service skills necessary when working with others.
• Develop and instill the life skills of sportsmanship, leadership, and team building in young people through our Youth Development Program.
• Fulfill your educationally required community service hours.
• Assist in organizing and conducting special events while developing stronger ties to the community.
• Develop skills and gain experience useful for a variety of job opportunities.
  

Most volunteers will need to visit the park and pick up a volunteer application packet to be approved as a regular volunteer.  For those volunteering for a workday or special event, the following applications are available to download and fill out prior to your arrival at the park.

Workday Volunteer Application (PDF - 784KB)

Special Event Volunteer Application (PDF - 76KB)

Job Descriptions, Sample Hours, and Locations

Click to view Job Descriptions for Volunteers which includes typical hours and locations as well as other important information.

We invite you to become a part of a dedicated agency by volunteering. Volunteering opportunities vary at each park site. We can accommodate a variety of schedules and times. Please call the park of your choice directly or stop by the park office to complete a volunteer application.  For volunteers under 18 years old, parental signatures are required.  Please bring a photo ID to the park when you sign up.  For park locations please click here. For additional information, contact the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division's Volunteer Coordinator Anita Ziegler at 954-357-8153.

Broward County Parks and Recreation Division extends a warm thanks to the Mountain Bike Patrol and Trail Maintenance volunteers at Markham and Quiet Waters Parks. Volunteers have demonstrated diligence in improving and inspecting the trails for the past year. Since January 1, 2008, the bike trail maintenance volunteers have donated 837 hours and completed five miles of trail improvements at Quiet Waters Park alone!

The following was submitted by the Broward County Mountain Bike Safety Patrol: "2008 was an outstanding year for the Broward County Mountain Bike Safety Patrol. We held a well attended International Mountain Bike Association safety patrol clinic in preparation for the re-opening of the mountain bike trails at Quiet Waters. The clinic added 15 patrol members that included two park managers as new patrol members. The mountain bike patrol is the park's eyes and ears on the trails, assisting and educating park patrons. Patrol members also assist with the few on-trail accidents and if required guide EMS to accident sites. The addition of 15 new patrol members brought the total patrol size to 47 and there is almost always one patrol member at the trails seven days a week. Patrol members have contributed  over 1500 hours of volunteer patrol time during 2008, and since the patrol was started in 2005 accidents at County mountain bike trails have steadily declined. The local EMS station thought the trails were closed we now have so few accidents. Patrol members conducted a "Take a Kid Mountain Biking" day at Quiet Waters and Markham parks in October as well as several bicycle manufacturers' demonstrations and learn to ride a mountain bike days. The members of Broward County's mountain bike safety patrol invite you to the trails for a happy and safe ride this holiday season.”