Volunteers In Parks

The Volunteer In Parks Program offers a variety of ways to get involved. You can show up at an upcoming work party, become a Park Steward, or your neighborhood/organization can Adopt-a-Park. Tools, gloves and some refreshments are provided. Please contact Sylvana Niehuser at 360.753.8365 or by sniehuse@ci.olympia.wa.us for more information.

Upcoming Work Parties

Ongoing - Yashiro Japanese Garden, every Tuesday from 9:30am-12pm 

Please join the Stewards of the Yashiro Japanese Garden to help maintain and care for the garden.  Volunteers meet weekly to rake, weed and provide ongoing maintenance to this well loved park. Parking is available in the Lee Creighton Justice Center parking lot at 900 Plum Street SE.

Saturday, May 19 - Lions Park, 10am-1pm

Come out to Lions Park and help us get the park ready for summer fun! We will be weeding the tree circles, spreading wood chips that are recycled from the winter storm, and learning about stewardship in a local neighborhood park. Meet at the picnic shelter. Lions Park is located at 800 Wilson St. SE.

Saturday, June 2 - Watershed Park, 10am-1pm * Register at www.rei.com/olympia

Come celebrate National Trails Day in historic Watershed Park! We will be providing some trail maintenance and work on invasive plant removal. Join expert staff from Stream Team for a guided activity in Watershed Park after the work party. Meet at the trail entrance on Henderson Boulevard. Watershed Park is located at 2500 Henderson Blvd. SE.

Saturday, June 9 – Priest Point Park, 10am-1pm

Come out to Priest Point Park and help participate in an ongoing restoration project. We will pull invasive English Ivy and make "life savers" around our native trees! We will also remove other invasive non-native plants that harm our ecosystem. Kids who come out can learn about our Junior Ranger Program. We will meet near the playground parking lot. Priest Point Park is located at 2600 East Bay Drive NE.

Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult and all youth under 18 years must have a signed Waiver and Medical Alert or have a parents' signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site.

Volunteer Recognition

The Parks, Arts and Recreation Department would like to thank the following individuals for volunteering their time and efforts this month to help maintain and beautify our parks.

Harry Fain's Legion Park - Bill Eggert, Tyler Brozina, Hannah St. Jean, Jack Miller, Pam Folson, Tyler Folson and Suzan Cresswell.

Priest Point Park - William Funk, Leslie Chan, Jordan Thies, Giselle Mulato, Mariah Fore, Krista Severson, Mikaylia Hartsock, Tyler Brozing, Michael Nathan, Lielle Nathan, Andy Howard, Zach Witty, Michael Dragovich, Sean Jones, Roberta Woods and Ethan Nathan.

Woodruff Park - Conner Knight, Kevin Ritzer and Reagan Ritzer.

Yashiro Japanese Garden - Adopt-a-Park group: Betty, Byron, Larry, Rob, Carolyn, Pauline, Lacey, Mark, Jim, Ed and Lowell. 

Volunteer hours 2012: 1,697         Number of volunteers 2012: 563

Volunteer hours 2011: 4,654.5      Number of volunteers 2011: 1,430