Volunteer Groups at City Park
“Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not get bent out of shape.”
-- Anonymous
-- Anonymous
Thank you for considering to help in improving the park.
The need is still present and we continue to put volunteers to work. As of October 2009, more than 26,848 volunteers have invested over 128,024 hours in the park since Hurricane Katrina. The reason that many sections of the park look as good as they do is directly attributable to the sweat equity of volunteers.
What you need to know
- We have worked with groups numbering from 20 to 900. Groups of 20-50 are the easiest for us to manage.
- We almost always have at least one staff person working with the volunteer group on their day of service.
- Given our financial situation, we ask convention and corporate groups to make a financial contribution to the park that will, at a minimum, cover the cost of supplies and materials used on their volunteer day. Supplies and materials can include paint, mulch, shovels, rakes, loppers, plant material, trash bags,
etc. Contributions vary but they tend to average between $25 and $50 per person. Most companies send us a check and then we go buy the supplies. Funds need to be received in advance of the work date. We also have an inventory of in house supplies that can be used for some projects.
- We have found that 3 hour work sessions are typically best for most groups.
- Volunteers are encouraged to dress appropriately (no open-toed sandals!), wear a hat, and apply sunscreen and insect repellant.
- Volunteers are responsible for providing any beverages they wish to drink and food they wish to consume. Bring plenty of liquids year round, but particularly during the summer months.
- Some sections of the park do not have restroom facilities. Volunteer groups may need to rent port-a-lets (average cost is $100 per day per).
- We have many different projects at the park that will vary depending on the financial contribution, the number of people in your group, the day on which you are coming, and the equipment available. Volunteers may paint, clear shorelines (we have 22 miles of shorelines), plant, mulch, or string Christmas lights.
- The work is rewarding: Groups come to the park and tackle an area that needs work. Three to four hours later, the area is much improved. The park is happy, the volunteers are happy!
To schedule a volunteer day or get more information, contact Jim Morrison at jmorrison@nocp.org or (504)483-9459 (email preferred).
If our volunteer schedule does not work for you, please check out volunteermatch.org or fixnola.org
