Volunteer with Portland Parks & Recreation

Find Volunteer Opportunities

Most of our volunteer events and roles can be found on our volunteer website at volunteer.portland.gov 

If you need help creating an account or signing up for an event, please reach out to Volunteer.Services@PortlandOreg…

Additional volunteer and community events are listed on Events | Parks & Recreation | Portland.gov.

Sign up for our Volunteer Newsletter

Learn about upcoming volunteer and community events with Portland Parks & Recreation.

Sign up for our Volunteer Event Newsletter.

Group Projects

Organize a group volunteer project

Lead a team for a group activity in a park. Seasonal tasks may include raking leaves, spreading mulch, weeding shrub beds, and refreshing sports fields. Great projects for family, friends, co-workers, and students. We will provide a detailed plan and the tools and materials. You provide the labor and coordination. We have work for teams as small as five, and up to 100 volunteers.

To organize a group volunteer activity, please fill out the Group Volunteer Interest Form. One of our volunteer managers will help find the right opportunity for you.

Community Service Hours

We have many opportunities that satisfy most community service requirements. A brief telephone screening is required to ensure proper placement and reporting.

School-based community service

Visit our volunteer website to find opportunities or email Volunteer.Services@portlandoregon.gov and write "School Community Service" in the subject line.

Court-ordered work

Please fill out our Court-Ordered Community Service Application.

Friends Groups

Friends Groups are made up of volunteers, neighbors, coworkers, and park lovers who come to a natural area or park on a regular basis (sometimes monthly, sometimes quarterly) to do hands-on restoration with the support of PP&R staff. While activities vary with the seasons, Friends Groups are regularly involved in removing invasive weeds, planting native plants, building fences, maintaining trails, picking up litter, observing plants and wildlife, and more. 

PP&R supplies the gloves, tools, training, plants, and snacks. The Friends Group provides the people, smiles, laughs, energy, and advocacy for the long-term health and beauty of Portland's parks and natural areas.

Find a Friends Group

Get to know some of our existing Friends Groups here: 

Portland Parks & Recreation Friends Groups | Portland.gov.

You can see where they work, what their goals are, who is involved, and what the schedules are for restoration events and meetings.

Partnership Opportunities

Community partners

Community partners comprise a wide network of other governmental agencies, as well as community-based, nonprofit, and private organizations that align with PP&R across park and recreation focus areas. We may partner on grants or other projects, programs, and initiatives.

Community Partnership Program

Learn more about current grant partnerships and new grant opportunities through PP&R's Community Partnership Program. Grants provide targeted financial and in-kind support to partner organizations who bring knowledge, expertise, resources, and a focused approach to serving culturally specific communities.

Portland Parks Foundation

The Portland Parks Foundation was founded in 2001 to engage private philanthropy in improving Portland's parks and open space system. Since then, PPF has been involved in dozens of private/public partnerships, projects, and programs across the city. Learn more here.   

Advisory Groups

Advisory groups

Community volunteer advisory groups collaborate on projects and provide valuable insights on our diverse community needs and interests. By volunteering their time and expertise, these dedicated Portlanders contribute to making a difference in the lives of their fellow residents and play a vital role in supporting PP&R's mission.

Portland Parks Board

The Portland Parks Board advocates for parks on a city and regional basis to ensure that parks, natural areas, open spaces, and recreation facilities are advanced in planning and design. The Parks Board provides a forum for public discussion and decision-making about park issues, bringing a citywide and long-term perspective to neighborhood-based issues.

Other PP&R advisory groups:

• Accessibility Advisory Committee
• Budget Advisory Committee
• Golf Advisory Committee
• Parks Levy Oversight Committee
• Portland Parks Replacement Bond Oversight Committee
• Urban Forestry Commission