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When summer hits the Northwest, outside is the place to be. Thanks to the Portland area’s extensive park system, we needn’t go very far.
From Forest Park, the largest wooded park within city limits in the US, to the plethora of small neighborhood parks perfect for family strolls, picnics, and Frisbee games, we are incredibly lucky to have so many places to get our outdoor fix during these months of sunshine and warmth. These green spaces are no accident; their existence and accessibility is due largely to the dedication of volunteers like you!
This summer, trade your Frisbee for a shovel and put a little love back into the parks that define our region. We have designed several opportunities for you to volunteer with parks. Use your weeding power as an alternative to pesticides by
helping out at a Pesticide-Free Parks work party. Get into garden-mode with
Portland Community Gardens. Flex those muscles and tackle some invasive species with
Three Rivers Land Conservancy at their many locations.
Forest Park and
Woods Memorial Nature Park both need help removing garlic mustard to improve their habitat. Help install a new trail and maintain the old ones with
Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation. Show your SE Portland parks some love by helping
spruce up Mt. Tabor,
Laurelhurst, and
Tideman Johnson Parks. Or, use your eye for detail to vanquish new ivy and blackberry shoots at
Marquam Nature Park,
Tryon Creek State Park, and NE Portland’s
Rosemont Bluff.
Think about taking on some leadership by attending our
Green Thumb volunteer leader training to learn about how you can help Hands On lead more projects in the great outdoors.
Whatever your plans this summer, make some time to pull on some gloves, enjoy some sun, and give back to the parks that offer us so much during these warm months!