Needs From: Volunteer Houston

Register here to sign a waiver for unscheduled events at Woodland Park. 

To find scheduled clean ups and workdays or other specific volunteer opportunities at Woodland Park, please visit our Agency Page at Volunteer Houston and scroll down to the Needs section.

We look forward to seeing you in the park soon!

Join Friends of Woodland Park, SPLASh, American Bird Conservancy, and H-E-B Our Texas, Our Future for a community cleanup at one of Houston's oldest parks!

Together, we'll remove litter from Woodland Park and a section of Little White Oak Bayou, helping protect local wildlife, improve water quality, and create healthier habitats for birds and other native species.

Whether you're a first-time volunteer or a seasoned cleanup participant, everyone is welcome. Bring your friends, family, and neighbors as we work together to make a lasting impact in our community.

This event is made possible through the support of H-E-B Our Texas, Our Future.
         

Cleanup Event Details

Location: Woodland Park - 212 Parkview St, Houston, TX 77009

Date: October 10th 

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Parking

We encourage carpooling to the event if possible. Limited parking is available at the community center, 212 Parkview, and on Parkview Street. Additional parking is available on Woodland, North and Wrightwood Streets.

Liability Waivers

 All participants are required to sign waivers regardless of age. By registering through Volunteer Houston, you will complete the waiver. Please ensure an individual waiver is completed for all members of your group. No group liability waivers will be accepted.

Supplies

Friends of Woodland Park and SPLASh will provide:

·      Trash bags

·       Grabbers

·       Gloves

·       Sunscreen

·       Bug Spray

·       Water refill station

·       First aid supplies

·       Poison ivy washes and creams

Please wear:

Required: Closed-toe shoes

Recommended

·       Comfortable outdoor clothing (long pants are recommended)

·       Extra sun protection (hat, sunscreen, etc.)

·       Extra bug spray

·       A reusable water bottle

Safety & Cleanup Guidelines

Your safety is our top priority. Volunteers will receive a brief safety orientation before the cleanup, and staff will be available throughout the event to provide assistance and answer questions. There will be a quick overview regarding poison ivy ID as well.

Click Here to learn more about our safety & cleanup guidelines.

Woodland Park is the second-oldest park in Houston and is a designated City of Houston nature preserve with lovely, wooded trails along Little White Oak Bayou.  Friends of Woodland Park (FWP) will host an event to clear and repair trails and rid the park of any trash and debris that has accumulated. We'll also refresh the butterfly and firefly gardens.

FWP volunteers annually remove over 10,000 pounds of trash from the Nature Preserve that collects along the bayou following Houston's heavy rains.

FWP will provide gloves, trash bags, bug spray, snacks and water. 

Volunteers should wear closed toe shoes that can get dirty. 

Restrooms are available on-site in the Community Center.

Parking is available on site and on nearby neighborhood streets.

Woodland Park (212 Parkview St) is centrally located near downtown.

Questions? Please contact us at volunteer@friendsofwoodlandpark.org  

Want to get outdoors and lead people? Friends of Woodland Park (FWP) is looking for 4-6 people to manage logistics and materials for park work days. Volunteers annually remove 10-15,000 pounds of trash from the Little White Oak Bayou floodplain within Woodland Park.

FWP usually sponsors 7 community work days annually (Jan, Feb, Mar, April, Sept, Oct, Nov) plus Earth Day (corporate weekday event, April).  Scout projects may also require support. 

Friends of Woodland Park is an all volunteer organization and this is a volunteer opportunity. 

Expectations:

Cleanups are generally held on Saturday mornings, with occasional weekday cleanups for corporate groups. 

With help from the Green Team Leads and FWP board, team members will identify supplies and tools needed using provided checklists. Supplies generally include FWP Flags, canopy, info kit, table cloth, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, water coolers and cups, snacks, first aid kit, bug spray and hand sanitizer. Tools such as shovels and wheel barrows are borrowed from and returned to Houston Tool Bank. 

Team members will gather equipment from storage located at 2515 Washington Avenue and any other supplies (such as snacks) and ensure that committee members can receive them on clean-up day or prior.  

Set up the supply distribution area and check-in table at Woodland Park Community Center located at 212 Parkview St. 

Check-in volunteer participants (participants will register on volunteerhouston.org where they will agree to a liability waiver). Provide Park history overview and safety/procedure briefing to participants.

Friends of Woodland Park (FWP) is looking for 1-4 people to help us secure funding to support our 15 for 15 projects celebrating our15-year anniversary!  This an exciting way to make a generational impact on a unique park and bayou environment in central Houston.

1-2 people will serve as Grants Directors(s) and will liaise with the board more regularly. Directors must be members of Friends of Woodland Park, per our bylaws.

Expectations include: 

Identify grant opportunities with help of FWP board members.

Review selected grant opportunities with relevant Houston Parks and Recreation Department personnel for support or permission (ie, affidavit) to apply.

Prepare grant applications: includes writing responses to questions, assembling
responsive documents with help of board members, securing application fees if needed,
seeking final review from board members and submitting completed application.

Commitment: Minimum 1 year

For more information, contact Jennifer Ostlind, FWP Volunteer Coordinator, at jennifer@friendsofwoodlandpark.org 

The Friends of Woodland Park (FWP) is seeking a Garden Director as a non-voting member of
FWP with responsibility for the garden areas surrounding the community center, Firefly Field
garden, the entrances to Woodland Park and other possible areas in the future. The Garden
Director will liaise with one or more FWP Board members. Attendance at FWP board meetings
is not required unless requested by the board. A commitment of 12 months is preferred.

Expectations Include:
Maintain all current beds which may include adding more plants as needed.
Oversee design of future beds.
Work with volunteer coordinator to solicit volunteers and organize seasonal workdays for garden maintenance.
Coordinate with Girl Scout and Boy Scout troop leaders if they ask to volunteer for required
required service hours.
Suggest to the board new ways to enhance the attractiveness of the park using plants.
Consider the creation of educational activities for children focused on gardening.
Follow Houston Parks and Recreation Department guidelines for garden maintenance and hosting events.

Commitment: 1 year minimum is preferred

For more information contact Jennifer Ostlind, Friends of Woodland Park Volunteer
Coordinator, at Jennifer@friendsofwoodlandpark.org.