Volunteer work rewarding for state parks and their fans
State parks need more than just staff members to provide good experiences. For many, it takes nonprofits, friends groups and volunteers to not only keep parks in good shape, but to fully demonstrate their programming and distinct offerings.
McConnells Mill is having a volunteer kickoff event starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, where people interested in getting involved at the park as well as Moraine State Park can learn about how they can help keep the parks clean and nice.
Brian Flores, assistant park manager of Moraine and McConnells Mill state parks, said volunteers are integral to the experiences at each.
“Volunteers are a huge part of what we do here,” Flores said. “They help with the trail work, the Moraine Preservation Fund, they help with the tour boat; we have fundraising projects and then there’s the basic advocacy they do.”
According to Flores, the park hasn’t had this volunteer kickoff event in person since 2019, when about 30 people attended. He said attendance at the kickoff event is not required for someone to volunteer. However, it helps communicate what opportunities are available to many people at once, and attendees can also discuss how they are interested in helping.
For example, the Gristmill at McConnells Mill is often staffed by a volunteer greeter, but people can also volunteer at park cleaning days or special events.
“We actually work with the groups to determine certain skills and what people are comfortable with,” Flores said. “Some are comfortable with just picking up litter or pulling weeds out of the garden. Greeters don't really require any level of skill other than a personality and a good smile.”
Friends of Moraine and the Moraine Preservation Fund are two volunteer groups that provide financial and physical help to the park throughout the year, and Flores said representatives should be present at the volunteer kickoff.
Flores said the parks have many people who have been volunteering for years, but the system always appreciates and accommodates newcomers. He also said he posts park updates online for where they need volunteers, and people can sign up to receive emails about upcoming opportunities.
People who volunteer at the parks often become friends with one another and the staff, Flores said, and they usually have a volunteer appreciation event at the end of the park season.
“In my experience working with volunteers, there is a sense of pride in giving back to a state park,” he said. “The social interactions, that camaraderie, meeting other folks who have that passion — I think there is a lot of pride.”
The kickoff event is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Kildoo Pavilion at McConnells Mill State Park. It will be in the park’s maintenance building if the weather is severe. For more information, visit the state parks’ websites, or call the park office at 724-368-8811.
