Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Garfield Park Conservatory! The Conservatory is a full-time staff of 6 people and if you've visited our park, you know that's a lot for 6 people to manage. And we don't do it alone! We currently have about 20 active volunteers and we are always looking for more! We always have more projects on the horizon to accomplish.
Is Garfield Conservatory a place you visit often? Have you ever thought about being part of our success story? Then we'd love to have you join us on some of our many projects. When filling out the volunteer form, we ask what your gardening skill level is, but honestly, no skill is necessary to get started. Knowing what skills you have, just helps us figure out how to plug you in. There is a lot we are happy to teach you on the job.
How do you know if volunteering at the park is a good fit for you? Here are some of the things we often need help with. If any of these sound like fun or a good fit for you, we'd love to have you sign-up. Please see our calendars below for specific volunteer opportunities to sign up for.
Event Set-up
Haunted Conservatory, Conservatory Crossing Holiday Lights, Tree or Village, Gnome Show
Gardening
Weeding, Pruning, Planting
Organizing & Cleaning
Haunted Conservatory Behind the Scenes, Sweets for Your Sweetie, Poinsettia Unboxing
Public Speaking and Education
Field Trips, Guided Tours, Public Programs
Logistics and Day of Event Execution
Spring Bulb Sale, Santa Day
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
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.
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Please wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that can get dirty
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Wear closed-toe, sturdy footwear suitable for outdoor work
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Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during your shift
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Apply sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun
Being prepared will help ensure a safe, comfortable and enjoyable volunteer experience.
🌱 Future Volunteer Opportunities
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.
We are currently expanding our volunteer program and volunteer opportunities. Please check back often for more opportunities to volunteer.
