At a time when parks were most necessary to New Yorkers, last year’s economic struggles led to an $84 million budget cut from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. With their heightened use during the early parts of the COVID-19 pandemic, parks were valued as an outdoor escape from private and work lives indoors, where people could safely social distance and exercise. However, met with 1,700 unfilled seasonal jobs and 45 percent less staff, upkeep and maintenance were a strain on the undermanned parks force. Overflowing trash cans, tall and unkempt grass, stray garbage, and safety hazards contributed to 2020’s relatively dirty year. In total, the department reported 25,000 hours a week in reduced maintenance, leading to infrequent attention across parks that occupy 14 percent of New York City land. Cleanliness and safety are major concerns, especially during a busy summer where park usage is in its highest demand.
New York City’s parks will play an invaluable role in restoring New York to its pre-pandemic charisma and well-being, while also serving their important environmental functions–as urban canopies, air quality filters, stormwater collectors, carbon sinks, and habitats for native wildlife. This is why we co-founded the Play Fair for Parks campaign alongside New Yorkers for Parks and DC 37. This year, the campaign is asking for $78.9 million in the Fiscal Year 22 Parks budget, including $30 million to restore the critical Seasonal staff budget responsible for park maintenance.
Even with these restorations, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation needs all the help they can get to keep our parks clean–below, we have made it easy for you to join them and sign up for their volunteering efforts. Volunteering opportunities can be easily accessible through the NYC Parks site or by clicking here. For even more ways to help our parks, visit park allies and partnerships.
Bronx
Friday, June 25: Community Paddle on the Bronx River
Monday, June 28: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Williamsbridge Oval Park
Monday, June 28: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Walter Gladwin Park
Monday, June 28: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Starlight Park
Thursday, July 1: Tidy Thursdays at Starlight Park
Tuesday, July 6: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Bronx Park East
Tuesday, July 6: Monday Morning Pitch-In at St. James Park
Tuesday, July 6: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Devoe Park
Monday, July 12: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Soundview Park
Monday, July 12: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Claremont Park
Monday, July 12: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Joyce Kilmer Park
Saturday, July 17: It’s My Park at Crotona Park
Monday, July 19: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Williamsbridge Oval Park
Monday, July 19: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Walter Gladwin Park
Monday, July 19: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Starlight Park
Monday, July 26: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Bronx Park East
Monday, July 26: Monday Morning Pitch-In at St. James Park
Monday, July 26: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Devoe Park
Monday, August 2: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Soundview Park
Monday, August 2: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Claremont Park
Monday, August 2: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Joyce Kilmer Park
Monday, August 9: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Williamsbridge Oval Park
Monday, August 9: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Walter Gladwin Park
Monday, August 9: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Starlight Park
Monday, August 16: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Bronx Park East
Monday, August 16: Monday Morning Pitch-In at St. James Park
Monday, August 16: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Devoe Park
Monday, August 23: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Soundview Park
Monday, August 23: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Claremont Park
Monday, August 23: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Joyce Kilmer Park
Monday, August 30: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Williamsbridge Oval Park
Monday, August 30: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Walter Gladwin Park
Monday, August 30: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Starlight Park
Brooklyn
Friday, June 25: Ecology Park Forest Restoration
Monday, June 28: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Grace Playground
Monday, June 28: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Herbert Von King Park
Tuesday, July 6: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Betsy Head Park
Tuesday, July 6: Monday Morning Pitch-In at McCarren Park
Saturday, July 10: City of Water Day Spring Creek Wetland Restoration
Monday, July 12: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Bensonhurst Park
Monday, July 12: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Kaiser Park
Monday, July 19: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Grace Playground
Monday, July 19: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Herbert Von King Park
Monday, July 26: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Betsy Head Park
Monday, July 26: Monday Morning Pitch-In at McCarren Park
Monday, August 2: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Kaiser Park
Monday, August 2: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Bensonhurst Park
Monday, August 9: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Grace Playground
Monday, August 9: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Herbert Von King Park
Monday, August 16: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Betsy Head Park
Monday, August 16: Monday Morning Pitch-In at McCarren Park
Monday, August 23: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Kaiser Park
Monday, August 23: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Bensonhurst Park
Monday, August 30: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Grace Playground
Monday, August 30: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Herbert Von King Park
Manhattan
Saturday, June 26: Broadway Berm Beautification Day – Fort Tryon Park
Saturday, June 26: Urban Farm Volunteer Day
Saturday, June 26: It’s My Park at Highbridge Park
Monday, June 28: Monday Morning Pitch-In at St. Nicholas Park
Tuesday, June 29: Harlem Street Tree Care
Tuesday, June 29: Horticulture Volunteer Day
Saturday, July 3: It’s My Park at Glick Park
Tuesday, July 6: Monday Morning Pitch-In and Urban Park Ranger Nature Exploration Hike at Inwood Hill Park
Saturday, July 10: Second Saturdays Trailwork Party + Bike Share at Highbridge Bike Park
Saturday, July 10: Broadway Berm Beautification Day – Fort Tryon Park
Monday, July 12: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Marcus Garvey Park
Sunday, July 18: Sunday Stewardship Day – Fort Tryon Park
Monday, July 19: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Fort Tryon Park
Saturday, July 24: Broadway Berm Beautification Day – Fort Tryon Park
Monday, July 26: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Morningside Park
Sunday, August 1: Roger Morris Park – Garden Volunteer Day
Monday, August 2: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Highbridge Park
Monday, August 9: Monday Morning Pitch-In at St. Nicholas Park
Saturday, August 14: Second Saturdays Trailwork Party + Bike Share at Highbridge Bike Park
Saturday, August 14: Broadway Berm Beautification Day – Fort Tryon Park
Sunday, August 15: Sunday Stewardship Day – Fort Tryon Park
Monday, August 16: Monday Morning Pitch-In and Urban Park Ranger Nature Exploration Hike at Inwood Hill Park
Monday, August 23: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Marcus Garvey Park
Saturday, August 28: Broadway Berm Beautification Day – Fort Tryon Park
Monday, August 30: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Fort Tryon Park
Queens
Saturday, June 26: It’s My Park at MacDonald Park
Saturday, June 26: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Saturday, June 26: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, June 27: Volunteer Gardening at the Overlook
Sunday, June 27: Nature Exploration Hike and Cleanup
Sunday, June 27: Hike & Pick! (Blue Trail) June-July
Sunday, June 27: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, June 27: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Monday, June 28: Monday Morning Pitch In
Monday, June 28: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Meadow Lake)
Monday, June 28: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Zoo Ballfields)
Monday, June 28: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Queensbridge Park
Monday, June 28: Monday Afternoon Sweeps
Saturday, July 3: Nature Exploration: Plants and Pollinators
Saturday, July 3: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Saturday, July 3: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, July 4: Hike & Pick! (Blue Trail) June-July
Sunday, July 4: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, July 4: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Monday, July 5: Monday Morning Pitch In
Monday, July 5: Monday Afternoon Sweeps
Tuesday, July 6: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Baisley Pond Park
Tuesday, July 6: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Beach 86 Street (Rockaway Beach)
Tuesday, July 6: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Alley Pond Park
Saturday, July 10: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Saturday, July 10: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, July 11: Hike & Pick! (Blue Trail) June-July
Sunday, July 11: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, July 11: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Monday, July 12: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Forest Park
Monday, July 12: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Highland Park
Monday, July 12: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Bayswater Park
Saturday, July 17: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Saturday, July 17: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, July 18: Hike & Pick! (Blue Trail) June-July
Sunday, July 18: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, July 18: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Monday, July 19: Monday Morning Pitch In
Monday, July 19: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Meadow Lake)
Monday, July 19: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Zoo Ballfields)
Monday, July 19: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Queensbridge Park
Monday, July 19: Monday Afternoon Sweeps
Saturday, July 24: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Saturday, July 24: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, July 25: Hike & Pick! (Blue Trail) June-July
Sunday, July 25: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, July 25: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Monday, July 26: Monday Morning Pitch In
Monday, July 26: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Alley Pond Park
Monday, July 26: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Baisley Pond Park
Monday, July 26: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Beach 86 Street (Rockaway Beach)
Monday, July 26: Monday Afternoon Sweeps
Saturday, July 31: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Saturday, July 31: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, August 1: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, August 1: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Monday, August 2: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Forest Park
Monday, August 2: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Highland Park
Monday, August 2: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Bayswater Park
Saturday, August 7: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Saturday, August 7: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, August 8: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, August 8: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Monday, August 9: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Meadow Lake)
Monday, August 9: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Zoo Ballfields)
Monday, August 9: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Queensbridge Park
Saturday, August 14: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Saturday, August 14: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, August 15: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, August 15: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Monday, August 16: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Baisley Pond Park
Monday, August 16: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Beach 86 Street (Rockaway Beach)
Monday, August 16: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Alley Pond Park
Saturday, August 21: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Saturday, August 21: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, August 22: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, August 22: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Monday, August 23: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Forest Park
Monday, August 23: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Highland Park
Monday, August 23: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Bayswater Park
Saturday, August 28: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Saturday, August 28: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, August 29: Forest Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Sunday, August 29: Highland Park Litter Ambassadors June – October
Monday, August 30: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Meadow Lake)
Monday, August 30: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Zoo Ballfields)
Monday, August 30: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Queensbridge Park
Staten Island
Saturday, June 26: Thrive with Pride Volunteer Landscaping @ Schmul Park
Saturday, June 26: It’s My Park at Olmsted-Beil House Park
Saturday, June 26: It’s My Park at Graniteville Quarry Park
Sunday, June 27: It’s My Park at Seaside Wildlife Nature Park
Monday, June 28: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Willowbrook Park
Tuesday, July 6: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Bloomingdale Park
Saturday, July 10: It’s My Park at Olmsted-Beil House Park
Saturday, July 10: Ocean Breeze Green Team Volunteer Event
Monday, July 12: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Clove Lakes Park
Monday, July 12: Monday Morning Pitch-In at the New Springville Greenway
Monday, July 19: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Willowbrook Park
Saturday, July 24: It’s My Park at Olmsted-Beil House Park
Saturday, July 24: Ocean Breeze Green Team Volunteer Event
Monday, July 26: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Bloomingdale Park
Monday, August 2: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Clove Lakes Park
Saturday, August 7: Ocean Breeze Green Team Volunteer Event
Monday, August 9: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Willowbrook Park
Monday, August 16: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Bloomingdale Park
Saturday, August 21: Ocean Breeze Green Team Volunteer Event
Monday, August 23: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Clove Lakes Park
Monday, August 30: Monday Morning Pitch-In at Willowbrook Park
Virtual/Online Opportunities
Tuesday, June 29: Webinar for Volunteers: NYC Green Relief & Recovery Fund—Info Session for Grassroots Groups
Friday, July 2: Webinar: Care Captain Training