Volunteer

Opportunities


Adopt a Park

Adopt-A-Park allows citizens, groups, churches, and other organizations to show pride in their community by working to beautify and clean a park or Town Square green space in Sunbury.

Groups and individuals are encouraged to take pride in their community and assist the parks & recreation committee with preserving Sunbury's parks through general upkeep and clean up. 

By adopting a park community members are working to maximize parks maintenance budgets and tax dollars to work on activities that need expert care.

What is required to adopt a park?

  • Decide if you will be adopting the park for a single day or for the entire year (year requires 3-day commitment)
  • Fill out an Adopt-a-Park Application
  • Fill out a Hold Harmless Agreement
  • Set up a meeting with the Volunteer Coordinator to discuss adoption details and create a park work plan based on adopted park and group needs.

What types of duties are required in adopted parks?

  • Picking up trash and litter
  • Raking leaves and pulling weeds
  • Fluffing playground sand or wood chips
  • Wash playground equipment with water and Simple green
  • Wash picnic tables and benches with water and Simple green
  • Sweeping hard surfaces (ie. Sidewalks, shelter houses, basketball courts, etc.)
  • Reporting vandalism, unsafe conditions and/or necessary repairs
  • Special projects that may be assigned by the streets department

 

Who can adopt a park?

Any local group such as families, individuals, businesses, or other organizations can "adopt" any park in Sunbury. Parks will need 3 yearly clean up days and can be adopted by multiple groups or organizations.

Is it free to adopt a park?

It is free to adopt a park; however, time commitments are needed to complete clean-up tasks.

Are there supplies for the park clean up?

Organizations are required to provide their own equipment. A suggested list would include: Rakes, gloves, dust pans, brooms, buckets, scrub brushes and simple green. Tools may be available through our Streets Department upon request. Sunbury Parks and Recreation will provide trash bags for groups cleaning the park. Bags can be picked up at the Sunbury Municipal office at 9 E Granville Street in Sunbury.

Is there any recognition for participating in the adopt-a-park program?

Absolutely! We value all who volunteers who help in the community. In addition to a clean park and a sense of community spirit, adoptive groups will be recognized if they complete an entire year of service with an Adopt- a- Park appreciation sign located at each park displaying their names proudly.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bicycle Ambassadors
 The newly created bicycle ambassador program is designed to utilize volunteers to keep watch on Sunbury’s beautiful trails. A bicycle ambassador is a committed volunteer that bikes the trail regularly. Their function is to provide assistance to trail users and work with Sunbury to keep an eye on the trail conditions and for possible hazards. 

What is required to become a trail ambassador?

What types of duties are required to be a trail ambassador?

  • Picking up trash and litter
  • Reporting vandalism, unsafe conditions and/or necessary repairs
  • Provide assistance to trail users


Bicycle Ambassadors are volunteers who provide a warm welcome to trail users and offer assistance as needed. They are the eyes and ears of the organization and will report any condition they consider a problem to the volunteer coordinator. Promoting trail courtesy, safety, and awareness in their interaction with individuals on the trail. Trail ambassadors have the opportunity to educate the public about trail etiquette. However, the bicycle ambassadors are NOT expected to enforce rules, but provide information in a friendly positive manner. Trail users are not always aware that what they are doing violates rules of trail etiquette.

Who can become a trail ambassador? 

  • Trail ambassadors must be age 18 or over and be willing to commit to at least 6 hours per month. 

Each bicycle ambassador will be provided a shirt and a backpack filled with maps, rules and water bottle.  The ambassadors will be asked to talk with trail users and from time to time track some basic user statistics. The days and times of the shifts are flexible so you can sign up for a time slot that works best for your schedule.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please here to sign up! Our volunteer coordinator will reach out to go over next steps before you start patrolling. We look forward to welcoming you to the volunteer team and having more eyes, ears, and friendly faces on the trail!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Help a Senior: Fall Leaf Assistance

Fall has arrived and it’s a great time to get outside to volunteer!

Those fall leaves look so spectacular, but they are a huge concern for many older adults. Raking is a big project for one or two people, especially if you have difficulties with mobility or vision.

So, grab your friends, family, faith community, or work team! Fall raking is loads of fun and a great way to spend time together.

We schedule fall raking 7 days a week from mid-October through the end of November. You choose the day and time that works best for your group (during daylight hours!)

Volunteering is a great way to get outside before the snow flies and it’s a great way to help someone in our community. Contact Amber Swain at aswain@sunburyohio.org or 740-965-2684 to sign up your group or find out more!

For seniors wanting to register for this program, please click here