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Volunteer Opportunities

The Springfield community has a great tradition of having involved residents. The Park District has benefited from thousands of community members who help with parks, programs, and events every year. Our volunteers donate their time and talents to maintaining our natural areas, coaching youth sports, keeping runners on course, and making special events like the Carillon Art Spectacular even more special for family, friends, and neighbors.

If you would like to be part of the Springfield Park District's mission to provide outstanding parks and recreational services please consider volunteering your time. Numerous volunteer programs provide educational opportunities for cub scouts, church groups, fulfillment of school curriculums, and much more.

Zoo

Want to Help at the Zoo?

For information on volunteering as a docent at the Henson Robinson Zoo please contact the Learning Facilitator. 

Jessica Prumm
Learning Facilitator

HENSON ROBINSON ZOO
1100 E Lake Shore Dr, Spfld IL 62712

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Botanical Garden 

Want to Help at the Botanical Garden?

Join our Botanical Garden Volunteer Program and help preserve and enhance the beauty of nature! Volunteers participate in a variety of activities, including planting, weeding, pruning, seed collection, and maintaining garden beds. Opportunities extend to supporting educational programs, special events, and conservation projects like invasive species removal and habitat restoration. Whether you're an experienced gardener or new to horticulture, your time and passion will help keep our gardens thriving and accessible for all to enjoy. Be part of our mission to promote environmental stewardship and beautify our community!

Alexa Bryan Potts
Botanical General Manager

BOTANICAL GARDENS
1740 W Fayette Ave, Spfld IL 62704

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Charli Swain
Facility Program Supervisor

BOTANICAL GARDENS
1740 W Fayette Ave, Spfld IL 62704

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General Volunteering

Help in our parks and on trails, tree planting projects throughout the year including seed collection, cleaning, planting, invasive species clearing, mulching, and other conservation activities.

Contact the Park District's volunteer coordinator, Chuck Smith, Park District Arborist, and Volunteer Coordinator for a list of projects and services that we are looking for assistance to complete.

Chuck Smith
Park District Arborist

MAINTENANCE/PARKS -
NATURAL RESOURCES
301 Eastdale Ave, Spfld IL 62703

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Southwind Park

There's always plenty to be done at Southwind Park!

For information on volunteering as a docent at Southwind Park please contact staff at Erin's Pavilion.

Tammy Naumovich
General Manager

ERINS PAVILION
4965 S 2nd St, Spfld, IL 62703

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April McClintock
Administrative Assistant

ERINS PAVILION
4965 S 2nd St, Spfld IL 62703

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Special Events

Lend a hand during one of our seasonal special events!

Henson Robinson Zoo Events

May - Dr. Dolittle Day at the
Henson Robinson Zoo


October - Zoolie Ghoulie at the
Henson Robinson Zoo


December - Holiday Zoo Lights at the
Henson Robinson Zoo


EMAIL ZOO EVENTS

General Recreation Events

May - August - Summer Movies in the Park


June - August - Springfield Park District FUN Zone at Levitt AMP Music Festival


June - FUR-Ever FUN-Fest


EMAIL REC EVENTS

Washington Park Botanical & Carillon Events

June - International Carillon Festival 


September - Carillon Art Spectacular


October - Carve for the Carillon and Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular


December - Caroling at the Carillon


EMAIL CARILLON BELLES

Pollinator Gardens

The Springfield Park Foundation is looking for volunteers to help with their "Parks for Pollinators" programs.  Help us build pollinator gardens throughout Springfield.  Here are some upcoming ways that you can help us!

What is a pollinator garden?

Pollinator gardens attract pollinators such as bees, some birds, bats, and other insects.  These play a crucial role in the flowering plant reproduction of most fruits and vegetables.  These flowering plants are an important part of food production.  It is estimated that pollinators are responsible for one in three of the bites of food we eat!  

They are also important habitats for monarch butterflies.  Monarch butterfly habits have been declining and so has the population of butterflies.  Pollinator gardens can offer an important habitat to help repopulate our Illinois state insect, the monarch butterfly.

Why in the Springfield parks?

Springfield area parks have space and access to natural resources to support pollinator gardens.  They not only provide crucial support for pollinators like bees, but they will be a beautiful addition to the park's overall appeal. 

How can you help support the Pollinator Garden Project?

There are two major ways that you can help make this project a reality. 

You can volunteer with us.  Each spring we prep existing gardens and prepare the ground for any new gardens that are to be installed.  And we will need help planting the gardens and refurbishing the grounds with new starts into existing gardens. 

Volunteer and help us add these pollinator gardens to the Springfield parks.   EMAIL the PARKS FOUNDATION

Don't have time to volunteer?  Donate to the project and help us to plant pollinator gardens at your Springfield area parks!

Bee Supportive: Plant and Grow Milkweed

Did You Know?

Springfield area parks have space and access to natural resources to support pollinator gardens.  They not only provide crucial support for pollinators like bees, but they will be a beautiful addition to the park's overall appeal.

Get Involved!

VOLUNTEER - Go to the Parks Foundation Website for a list of opportunities.

LEARN MORE

DONATE

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Pollinator Garden Locations:

Bunn Golf Course

Comer Cox Park

Enos Park

Jaycee Park

Kennedy Park

Stuart Park

Southwind Park

Washington Park

Vredenburg Park

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