In 2010 the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division launched its revamped volunteer initiative: the VIP Program, short for “Volunteers Improving Parks.” For many years the Division has depended heavily on its volunteers to augment and enhance park staff. And in these lean times, it just makes sense to use volunteers to extend our limited workforce through a more centralized and coordinated effort.
In a park system as large and diverse as Broward County’s, volunteer opportunities are virtually limitless, regardless of the volunteer’s background, experience, interests, and availability. We need volunteers for maintenance assistance and general cleanup – picking up litter, painting, weeding, minor planting, etc. We need volunteers who can contribute to security by keeping an eye out for potential vandalism and maintenance issues. We need volunteers who can answer phones and assist at park offices. In short, we need people with ideas, initiative, motivation, and an eagerness to chip in and help with whatever needs doing.
The VIP Program provides excellent opportunities not just for individuals but also for neighborhood organizations as well as businesses to become directly involved in maintaining and improving our parks, landscaped areas, greenways, and recreational facilities to help build community spirit and a sense of civic pride and responsibility. Park staff are always available to offer training, supervision, and any other resources necessary for both individuals and groups willing to contribute.
Our Mission
To increase community involvement with Broward County Parks by providing a variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals, corporations, and organizations in order to assist in the beautification, maintenance, and programming of the County’s park system.
Here’s How It Works
The first step is to find a project that’s in line with your talents and interests and the amount of time you’re willing to commit.
- Project Announcements - Find The Volunteer Experience For You!
- EcoAction Days Volunteers
- Natural Area Workdays
Volunteer Forms - Required for Participation
- Workday Application (PDF -104 KB) - for volunteers who want to volunteer for a specific one-day project or event only
- Volunteer Application (PDF -232 KB) Broward County Policies (PDF -3.6 MB)
- Tell Us About Your Volunteer Experience! (PDF -198KB)
The application can be filled out on your computer and then printed. The Broward County policies may be reviewed online or printed for your convenience. Bring completed application and photo identification to the park where you would like to volunteer. Volunteers must be at least 13 years of age (except at Tradewinds Stables, where volunteers must be at least 16 years of age), and volunteers under the age of 18 will need their parent/guardian's signature on these forms. For more information, contact the park of your choice or the Parks Volunteer Coordinator at 954-357-8153![]( "Call: 954-357-8153")
or by email.
The Benefits of Volunteerism
Judging from the feedback we get from our volunteers, they get a great deal of satisfaction from a job well done. Here are a few examples of the things you can accomplish with only a few hours a week of volunteer service:
- Acquire skills and gain experience that can be applied in a variety of jobs and careers.
- Assist in organizing and staffing special events that help the community.
- Increase public awareness of the importance of South Florida’s remaining natural areas.
- Improve the environment by clearing natural areas of trash and invasive plants.
- Instill sportsmanship, leadership, and team building in young people.
- Meet the education system’s requirement for community service hours.
The Track Record for Volunteers at Broward County Parks
As one of Broward County’s largest agencies, the Parks and Recreation Division is especially dependent on the contributions of its volunteers. While up to 752 Parks employees may report to work on an average day, that workforce may be supplemented by as many as 200 volunteers, especially on weekends.
| |
New Volunteers |
Volunteer Hours |
| Fiscal Year 2012 |
2,263 |
55,546 |
Friends Groups
Anne Kolb, Fern Forest, and Secret Woods nature centers have long had their own volunteer friends groups, and there are longtime volunteers at such specialized facilities as the Tradewinds Park Stables and Educational Farm, the Markham Park Target Range, and the mountain bike trails at Markham and Quiet Waters parks.
Thanks to Volunteer Groups!
JM Family Enterprises Inc.
Motorola
Easterlin Eagle Scout Project
USDA Invasive Plant Research Laboratory
Pine Crest School
Dart Container Sales Co.
Anne Kolb Eagle Scout Project
Parks Mountain Bike Patrol
UnitedHealthcare at Miramar Pineland
Summer Recreation Volunteer Recognition
Summer Program volunteers are an essential part of our Summer Recreation Program. These tireless young men and women arrived every day to a different set of challenges and rose to the occasion each time. Our VIPs assisted with arts and crafts, games, sports, field trips, clerical duties, and special events. They were also responsible for running the booths during our popular “End of Summer Carnival,” the highlight for many of the youth registered in our summer program.
This yearly program is not only beneficial to the Parks and Recreation Division, it's also an enriching one for our volunteers. The volunteers gained valuable knowledge of how to conduct themselves in a work environment. They also learned practical skills they can use daily at home and school, as well as for future employment and when applying for college.
Forty-six volunteers contributed 5,365 hours of service to the 2012 Summer Recreation Program and received certificates of appreciation for their invaluable assistance and support. We are proud to report that volunteer hours almost doubled from last year’s program. We look forward to seeing Parks VIPs again next summer and working hand in hand to make next year’s Summer Recreation Program an even greater success!
Florida Master Gardener Volunteers
4-H Volunteers
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Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in County programs, services, and activities must contact the Special Populations Section at 954-357-8170![]( "Call: 954-357-8170")
or TTY 954-537-2844![]( "Call: 954-537-2844")
at least ten (10) business days prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request an accommodation.