Thank you for your interest in helping keep San Jose’s parks clean and safe. With your assistance our parks are available to welcome families, friends and visitors to enjoy the beautiful weather, gorgeous scenery and peaceful surroundings.

Volunteering at a park offers benefits for both the park and the volunteer. Green space is vital to our communities because it offers a place for volunteers to better their community as well as promoting mental well-being by allowing people to get away to nature!

The San Jose City Council adopted the PRNS Volunteer Policy on April 27, 2009 to help foster the community’s stake and participation in neighborhood parks and community programs adding value to the mission of PRNS. For more information; please go to the PRNS Volunteer Policy.

Vision of the Volunteer Management Unit

As a national leader in promoting volunteerism in city parks, the Volunteer Management Unit of the City of San Jose- Parks Division, assists in the cultivation of healthy communities by engaging energetic volunteers who bring their expertise, energy and excitement to city parks from which quality neighborhood programs are improved and public open spaces are enhanced and beautified.

Mission of the Volunteer Management Unit

The mission of the Volunteer Management Unit is to provide meaningful and gratifying opportunities for all citizens to contribute to their community by assisting with basic park preservation tasks, beautifying city open spaces and generating attractive and safe gathering places for the healthy enjoyment and active participation of all city residents, friends and families. 

Volunteer Opportunites

The City of San Jose Parks Department has 2 formal volunteer programs:

• Adopt-A-Park
• One Day Volunteer Service Events

Adopt a Park

This successful program involves many volunteers that have been assisting city parks for years!  Volunteers register to ‘adopt’ a park in their neighborhood or work community for a minimum commitment of one year.  Volunteers can work at their leisure, which is a big benefit! 

For more information, click here

One Day Volunteer Service Events

This new program is aimed at busy people!  Because many volunteers desire to help, yet are swamped with work and family obligations, the program provides an opportunity for individuals and groups to volunteer for just one day! 

For more information, click here

The City of San Jose Welcomes All Volunteers!

• Individuals
  • Adults
  • Senior Citizens
  • Young Teens: Volunteers under the age of 15 must have on-site parental supervision
  • Older Teens: Volunteers under the age of 18 require parental or legal guardian permission

• Groups
  • Neighborhood Associations
  • Corporations/Businesses
  • Athletic Teams
  • College Organizations, Sororities and Fraternities
  • Community Service Organizations
  • Schools: Service Learning Groups, Classes, Clubs and Student Governments
  • Professional Organizations
  • Religious Groups
  • Neighborhood Businesses
  • Youth Groups
  • Conventions & Visitors to San Jose

Common Volunteer Tasks

• Remove non-native invasive plants
• Prune, weed, mulch and reseed
• Preserve and enhance beautiful landscapes
• Restore vital native habitat
• Pick up litter
• Remove graffiti

Training & Tools

All training and tools are provided by the City of San Jose. Volunteer time is greatly appreciated!