People of all ages and abilities can improve their community by volunteering, including at their local parks. Four in five adults seek family-friendly volunteer opportunities at their local parks and recreation agencies. Picking up litter or planting trees in parks and along trails and raking fall leaves for composting are among the most popular volunteer activities. Additional opportunities include: pulling weeds in the community garden, leading a nature hike or walk, building birdhouses or bat houses, helping to paint a mural at a rec or community center and invasive plant removal.

Millennials are most likely to express interest in volunteer opportunities relative to Gen Xers or baby boomers. Picking up litter was the preferred activity by nearly every demographic group.

Key Findings

• Four in five adults seek community volunteer opportunities for themselves or their family.
• Millennials are most likely to see themselves participating in community volunteer activities (87 percent) compared to their older peers.
• Parents are more likely than non-parents to desire community volunteer activities (86 percent vs 77 percent, respectively).
• The top three volunteer activities are:
• Picking up litter in parks and along trails
• Planting trees in parks and along trails
• Raking fall leaves for composting