Gallery—Photos of past volunteer projects

Parks and Gardens

School Groups

Many schools groups are teaching students the value of community service. Whether it's a trip to their neighborhood park or across town or across the river, students are giving back to the community and taking care of the environment.

Beaverton school group raking and bagging leaves at the Park Blocks

Vancouver Middle School group cleaning up storm debris Mt. Tabor Park

Corporate Groups

Many corporations give back to their community by providing opportunities for their staff to volunteer and through donations of goods.

Peninsula Park Rose Garden

Over the years, Master Gardeners, many corporate volunteers, and Peninsula Park Rose Garden Friends, have helped PP&R staff maintain the roses in this park. Earlier this year, over 3,000 rose bushes were removed and replanted with ones that will be more resistent to midge and other diseases. In June, we celebrated the Centennial Celebration of one of Portland's oldest parks.

UPS Volunteers — "Making a Difference"

Plaza Blocks Crocus Planting

On November 14, 2012, volunteers from Wells Fargo and "voluntolds" from the Multnomah County Community Court program, along with current PP&R staff and Parks retirees Fred Nilsen, Bob Downing and Jim Sjulin, planted over 3,000 crocus bulbs in the parks that had been inhabited by campers during Occupy Portland. Wells Fargo generously paid for the flowers. In the spring, the park was alive in purple!

Wells Fargo Volunteer Day at the Plaza Blocks

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Natural Areas

Gabriel Park Community Garden & Orchard

On August 17, 2011, employees from Santa Fe Natural Company volunteered at Gabriel Park Community Garden and Orchard. They prepared garden plots for winter and pruned fruit trees in the orchard. Secret tip for weed-free gardens: a layer of thick cardboard!

Hillside Park Pesticide Free Dedication

In 2004, Portland Parks & Recreation and the Pesticide-Free Parks partners began a three-year trial of pesticide-free park management at three parks: Lair Hill, Arbor Lodge, and Sewellcrest. No pesticides of any kind were used in these parks during this time. Instead, volunteers weeded by hand, mulched shrub beds, and controlled weeds in other ways. PP&R also continued to use various kinds of integrated pest management methods, such as aeration and overseeding of the park turf. Hillside Park and Midland Park became pesticide free in 2008.

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Recreation

Halloween Party At Hillside Community Center

Everest College students helped out at a Halloween Party at Hillside Community Center. They put up decorations, played games, handed out prizes and snacks. They earned course credit, gave back to the community, brought joy to young and old "kids" and had FUN!

Everest College Students at Hillside Community Center

Sr. Recreation

Senior Recreation programs are dedicated to ensuring access to recreational, educational, and wellness opportunities for adults aged 55 & up throughout Portland and the surrounding areas. We offer classes in health & fitness, computer skills, music and dance, genealogy, activities to boost brain power, writing, arts & crafts, hiking, home & garden, multiculturalism and much more.

Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation (AIR)

PP&R's Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation is considered one of the top specialized community recreation programs in the United States. The AIR program serves people of all ages and types of special needs at sites throughout the city, including Portland Parks & Recreation's community centers and community schools. We offer community-based recreation activities and leisure services specially designed for children, teens, and adults who have a disability and/or special needs. AIR services are designed to assist people in developing and using their leisure time in ways that enhance their health, well-being, and independence.