Volunteering

There are several ways to volunteer with the City and in the larger Ypsilanti community!  You can serve on a City board or commission; work with the Police or Fire departments;  help provide recreation opportunities with the Ypsilanti Senior Center, Parkridge Community Center, Rutherford Pool, or Ypsi-Arbor Little League; or help maintain and improve our parks!  For volunteer opportunities not with the City but in the larger community, please visit the United Way's community volunteer listing portal. This page goes into more detail about volunteering in our parks system.

Join us for a volunteer workday in one of our parks this summer!  

Just bring yourself, long pants, closed-toed shoes, and a willingness to work.  Tasks will vary by park and with weather, but will always include trash pickup; other tasks may include painting, weeding, and planting. Come prepared to have fun!  Sign up online at https://liveunitedsem.galaxydigital.com/agency/detail/?agency_id=172101!

Our Parks Need You

Whether you’re part of a business that facilitates an annual park clean-up service day, or a neighborhood organization who performs ongoing litter removal, or a youth group who wants to do a special project to improve a park, the Adopt-A-Park program is for you! If your group has already worked in the parks, or this is your first time, all participants need to follow the Adopt-A-Park process to assure you that everyone is safe and that your efforts are put to the best use. We also want to be able to recognize you or your group for the effort you put in.

Adopt-A-Park

The City of Ypsilanti, in partnership with volunteers on the City’s Parks and Arts Commission, have developed the Adopt-A-Park program to encourage neighbors, community groups, local businesses, and service clubs to dig in to help keep our community’s Parks and Recreation system vibrant. From larger community-wide parks that host major events, to neighborhood pocket parks and tot lots, this public green space in our community is a major asset of our City and used by people of all ages and abilities.

What Does It Mean to Adopt-A-Park?

Adopting a park can mean many things, and this program can be a fit for you whether you want to make a one-time or ongoing commitment to a park. Here are just a few ways it can look:

  • Your neighborhood association agrees to be the litter patrol for the park, sending a team out at least once a month to keep the park clean;
  • Your civic group has a spring and fall volunteer day in a park, doing maintenance of planting beds and spreading mulch;
  • Your scout troop wants to help spruce up a park as a summer service project, and repaints the park benches;
  • Your church wants to install flowers in existing beds in a park in springtime;
  • Your business works to raise funds to install or repair park signs, and then holds a clean-up day to celebrate this effort.
  • As an individual you help care for a specific flower bed throughout the season-watering, weeding, and mulching it as appropriate.

The safety and maintenance needs for each park are identified by the Department of Public Works. Additionally, special projects, improvements, and maintenance priorities in our parks are guided by our Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

Ready to Adopt-A-Park? Apply now!

Fill out one of the following the applicable applications, (group or individual), and drop it off at City Hall (1 S Huron St, Ypsilanti MI, 48197), Attention Department of Public Works,  or send via email at least one month before your planned activity.

Applications

  1. Group Adopt-A-Park Application (PDF)
  2. Individual Adopt-A-Park Application (PDF)

What Happens After I Submit My Application?

You will be contacted by staff of  the Public Works Department with additional questions or clarifications, and/or to let you know if your application has been approved. 

On the Job: Safety!

Each participant in the City of Ypsilanti Adopt-A-Park Program must review these Safety Guidelines before performing services at the adopted site and must abide by them while performing services at or on the adopted site.

  • Work only during daylight hours and in appropriate weather. no work should be done in inclement weather.
  • The use of any power tools or heavy equipment is prohibited.
  • Wear protective clothing including work gloves, sturdy shoes and long sleeved shirts and pants to prevent injury from sharp objects, insect stings, sunburn and poison ivy. Light colored clothing is most visible.
  • Don’t overexert yourself. Take breaks and drink plenty of water on warm days. Wear sunscreen and other sun protection (hats, sunglasses) if necessary.
  • Be aware of your surroundings to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Be especially careful if you are using tools.
  • Do not wear headsets or engage in horseplay or other conduct that would divert your attention from your work or impair your ability to perceive hazards from traffic or other dangerous situations.
  • Provide adequate supervision for participants under the age of 18.
  • Avoid areas where hazardous conditions exist such as: roads, parking lots, bridges, construction sites and areas where mowing, tree trimming or pest control is in progress. Report any hazardous situations immediately to Public Services. Watch for any power lines which may be down.
  • If you are picking up litter, use caution in handling collected items. Do not crush collected items; broken or jagged objects could cause injury. Do not try to pick up heavy, large or hazardous materials.
  • While doing work in the parks do not drive motorized vehicles on the grass or any paths that prohibit motorized vehicles. Park only in designated areas.
  • Report any accidents or incidents on the Incident Report Form provided by the City of Ypsilanti. If of an emergency nature while performing volunteer activities, please call 9-1-1.