We are thrilled to have you in our network of nearly 500 community leaders dedicated to beautifying neighborhood parks across the city. The following resources will teach you how to care for parks with safety in mind while using best practices in cleaning, gardening, and painting. You will also learn how to effectively lead volunteers, plan successful projects, and collect outcomes that demonstrate the impact of your work.
Let’s get started
What kinds of activities do you want to regularly take on with your group (cleaning, weeding, raking, planting, painting, etc.)? What days of the week and times of day work best for you and others in the community? (Many groups choose weekday or weekend mornings.) How many people do you want to engage and what are the best methods for doing it? (This will determine how many tools you need as well.) What other types of support might you need from volunteers – project greeting, membership recruiting, promotions, administrative help? Discuss your ideas with a Partnerships for Parks (PfP) staff member and keep them in the loop with how your group evolves over time so we can provide support.
Once you have a project plan in place, complete our online It’s My Park project leader application. Project leader applications are received on a rolling basis, at least two weeks before your intended project date and no more than 10 weeks out. You may apply for multiple projects that are identical in nature with one application- a great option if you intend to host recurring projects, such as weekly or biweekly.
In order to be considered, your project proposal must take place on an NYC Parks property, be free of charge, and be submitted between 2 and 10 weeks before the preferred project date.
Please wait for a confirmation from PfP before finalizing your project plans, since all projects must be pre-approved by PfP and NYC Parks.
We will send you a confirmation at least one week in advance with information about supplies and other logistics. If we cannot accommodate your requested date or any project details, we will suggest alternatives.
Approved projects will be eligible to receive the following resources from us:
-Listing on the NYC Parks online events calendar and the City Parks Foundation online events calendar
-Tools and supplies
-Event planning, promotional, and logistical support
-Branded promotional materials and giveaways (first come, first served)
It’s My Park is a great opportunity to help spread the word about your community group and accomplishments! A PfP staff member can provide you with promotional materials such as posters and postcards (available in a variety of languages) that you can distribute at your building, meetings, local businesses, and park. Electronic editable flyers are also available for download here and our social media toolkit is available here, as well as guides on collecting sign-upsand how to write a press release to further promote your project. Finally, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @
We want to know about the great work that you and your community group members accomplish during your It’s My Park projects! As you’re working, take some photos of active volunteers and share these photos on social media. At the end of your project, please fill out our IMP outcomes form to let us know about your accomplishments. The more information we have about the great work you do, the more effective we can be in providing the tailored support you need. Connect with a PfP staff member shortly after your project to share how it went, photos, and any plans you might have for your next It’s My Park project.
Presenting Sponsor
Generous private support is provided by the Altman Foundation, the Greenacre Foundation, and the MJS Foundation. Public support is provided by the NYC Council under the leadership of Speaker Adrienne Adams.
Because of you, NYC’s kids are learning how to protect our environment and being introduced to a new sport for life, community volunteers are transforming a green space in need of care, and free world-class performing arts are being brought to our parks all around the city—all for free. When you support City Parks Foundation's free programs, you are helping our parks, our communities, and our city thrive.
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