Are you looking for a meaningful ongoing service opportunity to give back to our community? Do you enjoy being outdoors and leaving places better than they were found? Are you a part of a school group, club, or workplace seeking community service opportunities or want to volunteer solo or with a friend or family member? If you answered "yes" to any of the above, you may be interested in our Adopt-a-Park program! We have over 26 parks within City limits and we are seeking volunteers to help keep these shared spaces clean, safe, and enjoyable for all who visit.
- Start by COMPLETING the Adopt-a-Park Volunteer Interest Survey (found by clicking here).
- CREATE an Engage SLO account and RESPOND to this volunteer opportunity. Need help? Visit this resource site or contact our Volunteer Program ([email protected]).
- Our Volunteer Program will be in touch soon with more details - including your park assignment!
Please see more details and how to get involved below:
Who:
Come one, come all! SLO Community members who live, work, attend school, or frequent the city enough to fulfill *service requirements can positively impact their park of choice. This volunteer opportunity is eligible for community service and is great for individuals and groups.
What:
This program equips volunteers with the knowledge, supplies, and resources they need to support staff’s efforts to maintain safe, clean, and enjoyable park experiences for all park-goers. Standard tasks include:
- Picking up litter
- Wiping down surfaces
- Coordinated beautification projects (e.g., graffiti removal, planting, and landscape maintenance with guidance from the City’s Public Works team)
When:
Volunteers serve any day and time they’d like, so long as it’s during daylight hours from dawn to dusk. Volunteers are not to serve at night or in unsafe conditions.
Where:
Volunteers are assigned a park based on their response to the Adopt-a-Park Volunteer Interest Survey, availability, and need.
Additional Details & *Service Requirements:
- Safety first! Please do not touch hazardous materials or expose yourself to compromised situations that may impact your wellbeing. Refer to the Guide for Volunteers for emergency protocols.
- All volunteers are provided and required to wear a safety vest and name tag while serving.
- After three consecutive shifts, volunteers are given a t-shirt & encouraged to wear.
- Once confirmed, volunteers will be provided an orientation to the park by our Volunteer Coordinator.
- Volunteers or Volunteer Team Leaders are expected to log service hours on Engage SLO after each shift. If you’re volunteering with others, please help remind those in your group.
- All volunteers, whether as an individual or as a part of a team, must register on the City of San Luis Obispo’s volunteer portal, Engage SLO, and commit to serving at least 4 hours per month for a 6- or 12-month timespan, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Volunteer Program.
- Please refer to the following materials for additional information and expectations for which volunteers will be responsible for understanding and adhering:
Celebrate your efforts! Send the Volunteer Program pictures and reports, use social media, tagging the City of San Luis Obispo and Parks and Recreation Department, and use the hashtag #KeepSLOClean
We can’t wait to see you in the field and thank you for your interest in volunteering!
