Whether residents volunteer daily, monthly or once a year; they help Metro-parks Toledo sustain the mission and make a lasting impact. Volunteers give their time and talent and play a role in the betterment of the community. Metro-parks offers a variety of volunteer programs. To learn more, visit metroparks toledo.com/getinvolved/ volunteer/.
Annual All-Volunteer Picnic
Metroparks invites all volunteers to attend a picnic on Sunday, June 9, at 5 p.m., at Side Cut Metropark. This is a casual event with barbeque and vegetarian options, live music, raffles, games and more. This is a chance to mingle with fellow volunteers, Metroparks staff and the park. Send reservations to Hannah at Hannah.Calandra@metro parkstoledo.com.
Volunteer Orientation
New to volunteering with Metroparks? Do you want to know more about various programs and opportunities? Attend the volunteer orientation on Wednesday, June 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Glass City Metropark, Glass City Pavilion.
This is an informational meeting designed to get new volunteers or interested community members familiar with the volunteer program. It is strongly encouraged that new volunteers or volunteers who have not attended a previous orientation and received a volunteer handbook to attend. There will be multiple orientations throughout the year.
For more information, contact Meredith Busic at Meredith.Busic@metropark stoledo.com or call or text, 419-262-8826. Interested individuals can sign up in Vic-Net or by contacting Ms. Busic.
Volunteer T-Shirts Are In Volunteer T-shirts are now available for pickup at the office at Wildwood Preserve Metroparks stables.
Pick-up is Thursdays, from 1 to 4:30 p.m., or by appointment. They also will be available at the all-volunteer picnic.
Upcoming Volunteer Programs and Trainings Hoary Alyssum Invasive Species Removal, at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, June 8 and 22, from 9 a.m. to noon Help remove invasive hoary alyssum from the natural areas before it goes to seed. Hand pulling is a highly effective way to control this non-native and any assistance is appreciated. For those eight and older. Volunteers younger than 16 will need adult assistance. Meet at the Buehner Center and the group will likely drive to a secondary location. Sign up on VicNet or contact Meredith at Mered ith. Busic@ metroparks toledo.com.
Pearson Litter Pick Up, at Pearson Metropark, June 8 and 22, from 11 a.m. to noon This is a reoccurring event, every other Saturday.
Help keep greenspaces clean at Pearson. For those 12 and older. Must have an adult if under 16. Meet at the Pearson Park maintenance shop. Sign up on VicNet or contact Julianne at Julianne.Warr@ metropark stoledo.com.
Singletrack Bike Trail Days, at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, Every Second and Fourth Saturday, June 8 and 22, from 9 a.m. to noon Assist with repairing the singletrack mountain bike trail. Activities include digging drainage, moving dirt and gravel, trimming brush, and potentially constructing a boardwalk or stone path. Meet at the Wheelhouse, 3520 Waterville-Swanton Road, Swanton. For ages 12 and older. Must be accompanied by an adult if under 16. Sign up in Vicnet or email Julianne.Warr@metroparks toledo.com.
Trash Pickup At International Park, Every Second Wednesday and Fourth Sunday, June 12 and 23, from 10 a.m. to noon Help keep greenspaces and waterways clean. For those 12 and older. Must have an adult if under 16. Meet in the large lot across from the waterfront restaurants. Sign up on VicNet or contact Meredith at Meredith.Busic @metroparkstoledo.com.
Farnsworth Trail Trimming, Farnsworth Boat Launch Area, June 13 and 14, from 9 a.m. to noon Volunteers are needed to trim brush along the towpath between Farnsworth and Bend View Metropark. Both days may not be needed depending on how many people help the first day. For ages 12 and older. Must have and adult if under 16. Sign up on VicNet or contact Meredith at Meredith.Busic@metropark stoledo.com.
Pearson Bridge Bed Landscape Renovation, Pearson Metroparks, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Assist staff with a landscape renovation–installing new plants, mulching and weeding around the Pearson pond and WPA bridge. This is an opportunity to get outside for a few hours. Contact Julianne Warr at Julianne.warr @metroparkstoledo.com to get started or sign up in Vicnet.
Bee Hotel Keeper, Glass City Metropark, April through October, Flexible Schedule Similar to the Window on Wildlife volunteers, Metroparks is looking for volunteers to help maintain the Bee Hotel at Glass City Metroparks pollinator garden.
The hotel has not been installed yet and this program may not kick-off until 2025, but the parks wanted to look for interested volunteers to get their input on the guidelines and expectations of this new program.
Bee identification experience is not required, but welcome. Volunteers must be 18 or older. Contact Meredith at Meredith.Busic@metroparks toledo.com.
Garden Keeper, March through November, Flexible Schedule Join the garden keeper program and help Metroparks maintain the landscapes to ensure the parks provide a clean, safe, natural experience for visitors while inspiring preservation efforts. Primarily looking for additional help at Glass City, Pearson, Secor, Swan Creek. Contact Julianne Warr at Julianne.warr@metroparkstoledo.com to get started.
Programming Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers are needed to help with outdoor skills and environmental education programs year-round. Join staff on activities such as nature-based activities and games, archery, rock climbing, mountain biking and atlatls (spear-throwing). No experience is required. Staff will train onsite as necessary.
For ages 16 and older. Sign-up for programs in Vic-Net or contact Hannah Calandra Hannah.Calandra@metro parkstoledo.com to get signed up.
•Saturday, June 8–Savage and Associates field trip, atlatls, Side Cut, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 1:30 to 4 p.m.
•Saturday, June 8–rock climbing, Glass City, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
•Saturday, June 8–storybook festival, nature-based activities, East Toledo Family Center, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
•Saturday, June 8–Northwest Ohio’s children’s trust fund, nature-based activities, Glass City
•Monday, June 17–atlatls, Jefferson Junior High School, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
•Friday, June 21–no kids allowed: archery, Swan Creek, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
•Wednesday, June 26–atlatls, Jefferson Junior High School, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
•Thursday, June 27–squirrel olympics, Jefferson Junior High School, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 1 to 4 p.m.
•Saturday, June 29– Ravine Park playground opening, nature-based activities, Ravine Park, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Camp Program Specialist Volunteers are needed to help with outdoor skills programming during the summer camp season. Help with activities such as nature-based activities and games, archery, rock climbing, mountain biking, canoeing and atlatls (spear-throwing). No experience is required. Staff will train onsite as necessary. For those 18 and older. Background check required.
Contact Hannah Calandra Hannah.Calandra@metroparkstoledo.com to get involved.
