The Sunken Garden at the Garfield Park Conservatory is reopening after nearly three years of construction tied to the extensive restoration of its historic fountains. The Conservatory staff is excited to welcome volunteers back to help prepare and beautify this iconic space for the season ahead.

 

The Conservatory staff is excited to share that we are launching our most extensive volunteer program to date!

 

Our goal is to restore the garden’s vibrancy through hands-on work that supports seasonal planting and ongoing maintenance throughout the year.

 

Volunteers will assist with:

Amending soil

Planting bulbs and annuals, including:

transporting flats, removing plants from trays, digging holes and planting and refilling soil

Removing seasonal annuals

Weeding garden beds

Maintaining planters

General groundskeeping, including thistle, litter and debris removal

Hand watering

Spot mowing

 

The days and times of each opportunity vary. Exact dates and times can be found on the monthly calendars below. We are looking for up to 10 volunteers per shift to ensure a manageable and collaborative experience. All volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Volunteer dates are rain or shine!

 

🧤 What to Bring & Wear

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All tools and equipment will be provided by the team at the Garfield Park Conservatory. You are welcome to bring your own gardening gloves and a soil knife if you prefer to use personal tools.

 

• Please wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that can get dirty

• Wear closed-toe, sturdy footwear suitable for outdoor work

• Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during your shift

• Apply sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun

 

Being prepared will help ensure a safe, comfortable and enjoyable volunteer experience. 

 

🌱 Future Volunteer Opportunities

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While initial opportunities will focus mainly on the Sunken Garden, we are developing future opportunities inside the Conservatory, in the Children’s Garden and in various green spaces around Garfield Park.

 

If you are not available for any of the opportunities below but are interested in future volunteer opportunities, we encourage you to complete one of the forms so we can keep your contact information on file. Please check back often as we will add new opportunities!

 

By volunteering, you’ll play a direct role in bringing these historic spaces to life and preserving a cherished community landmark.