Become a Montgomery Parks Volunteer

Do you enjoy Montgomery Parks?  Now is a good time to volunteer.

“We’re gearing up for the spring flurry of events,” said Lynn Vismara, volunteer coordinator.   “We’re very weather-oriented.  We’re very busy in the spring and in the fall, although we do have opportunities in the winter and the summer.”

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, known as M-NCPPC, is the state-chartered bi-county agency which provides the parks system for both Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. 

“Volunteers bridge the gap between the commission and the community we serve,” said Jayne Hench, volunteer services coordinator.  “They provide us with the human resources we need to accomplish the department’s mission to provide an outstanding park system.”

The commission doesn’t just provide the parks, she stressed. 

“Volunteers put the people in their parks,” Hench said.

In fiscal year 2010, over 8,500 volunteers contributed 83,000 work hours in Montgomery Parks.  With more than 400 parks and facilities in Montgomery County, residents have a wide range of prospective volunteer opportunities.

If you’d like a long-term commitment, consider feeding the flying squirrels at the nearby Black Hill Visitor Center.  Prefer people over animals?  Train to be a nature center host, volunteer naturalist, or historic interpreter.  If you only have time available in the summer months, you could work as a camp counselor.  Single day volunteer options include picking up trash, helping the Weed Warriors remove invasive plants, or providing support during festivals and other special events. 

M-NCPPC benefits greatly from hard-working Montgomery County volunteers, but volunteers benefit too, Hench said.   Volunteering in your parks allows you to enjoy time outdoors, make new friends and learn more about your community.  

“It’s a win-win situation,” said Hench.   

You can explore through their online Volunteer Services Office.  Available volunteer positions can be sorted by location or facility.  You can also search for volunteer activities that provide student service learning hours or options that are family-friendly.   

If you’d rather speak to someone directly, talk to the volunteer coordinator at the park or facility where you’d like to donate your time or give Vismara a call at 301-495-2504.  Vismara often acts as a matchmaker between prospective volunteers and the field staff.