Partners in Parks

Main page content begins here

Partners in Parks is a beautification program that helps Edmontonians enhance and preserve their local green space.

Neighbourhoods have been kept green, beautiful and clean for over 15 years with the help of dedicated Edmontonians who volunteer in our Partners in Parks program.

Every year volunteers help the City of Edmonton by enhancing maintenance of shrub beds. Volunteering with Partners in Park is an incredible opportunity with many benefits: service to the community, learning gardening skills and keeping active in a safe manner.

If you see a Partners in Parks volunteer hard at work, make sure to let them know how much their effort is helping to beautify your neighbourhood!

Volunteer Registration

The volunteer registration is open from May 1 to June 30 or until volunteer spaces are filled. This season, there are 120 volunteer positions available to Edmontonians. We encourage you to register as soon as possible!

Please ensure that you have read the Volunteers’ Requirements and Guidelines below before proceeding with your registration.

Volunteers Requirements and Guidelines

Adults seeking volunteer opportunities
Individuals who have an interest in horticultural activities and environmental care
Volunteers are required to complete training prior to starting work

2023 Volunteer Registration

Volunteer Activities

Partners in Parks volunteers maintain horticultural planting beds. If you see a Partners in Parks volunteer hard at work, make sure to let them know how much their effort is helping to beautify your neighbourhood!

Volunteer Activities

Volunteers conduct work in existing City-owned shrub beds, which are typically located in parks and open spaces. Some work sites are not suitable for volunteers, including stormwater management facilities and in close proximity to roads. Program staff will confirm your work site as part of registration.

Required maintenance activities include:

Removing litter
Weeding shrub beds

Optional maintenance activities include:

Planting non-invasive annuals or perennials
Watering plant material
Mulching
Soil amendment

Benefits of Volunteering

Partners in Parks efforts boost pride in our city and bring beauty to neighbourhoods. Volunteerism also helps to improve habitat for native plants, birds and pollinators, while also reducing the presence of invasive weeds.

Personal benefits of volunteering include:

Gain personal satisfaction and enjoyment
Opportunity for staying physically and mentally healthy
Develop horticulture and gardening skills
Recognition for contribution

Training & Resources

Following registration, volunteers will be asked to complete onboarding tasks.

Training includes reviewing the Volunteer Manual , completing two, short online quizzes and acknowledgement of Operational Health and Safety and Volunteer requirements.

After training, volunteers will receive a bag of program resources. Personal protective equipment including gloves, safety glasses, first aid kit, volunteer badge and site signage are provided by Partners in Parks.

Complimentary items such as native flowers, garbage bags and sponsor donations are also provided.

Volunteers are responsible for their own sturdy, closed-toe footwear such as runners and weather-appropriate clothing. Horticultural tools such as hand trowels and rakes are also the responsibility of volunteers.

Reporting Shifts

Volunteers are required to report when they are working. To simplify this process, shifts can be submitted via the 2023 Shift Log.

Note, this reporting process is only for registered volunteers.

Current Volunteers

Program staff are very grateful for the time and effort volunteers commit to enhancing beautification in Edmonton. Monthly newsletters share kudos and highlight volunteer sites. At the completion of the season, all volunteers are provided with a thank you letter and tulip bulbs. Individuals that contribute 10 or more hours of service also receive an annual horticultural society membership! Visit the Sponsor section for more information.

Testimonials

Every year Partners in Parks volunteers are asked to complete a short survey about their experience. Some people provide testimonials, such as the ones below, that highlight the benefits of participating.

"It's nice to have an excuse to get outside and enjoy the weather and the dirt! Also nice to see the results of your hard work throughout the season."

"I enjoyed participating in the Partners in Parks program. I enjoyed getting outside in the fresh air, and I was pleased to be able to see my local park looking better because of my efforts."

"Volunteering for PIP (Partners in Parks) is an excellent way to get outside and be active, it was especially valuable during COVID-19 restrictions."

"I enjoy working in my garden which is located beside a well-used trail and enjoy talking to walkers as they go by. It's a nice way to connect with my neighbours and others passing through the community, both verbally and aesthetically."

Sponsor, Donor and Partner Opportunities

Is your organization committed to a greener future? The City has set a goal for Edmonton to be a neighbourly city with community and personal wellness that embodies and promotes equity for all Edmontonians. The key indicators for this goal are related to volunteerism and a sense of community. Your contributions can enhance the City’s volunteer opportunities to beautify parks, support recreation and leisure for all ages and abilities, and help us achieve a more neighbourly city!

Edmonton Horticultural Society (EHS)

Edmonton Horticultural Society Logo A longstanding sponsor of the Partners in Parks program, for many years, in-kind donations of EHS memberships have supported volunteers in accessing workshops and training, retail discounts and meeting the community of horticulturalists in Edmonton.

For more information about memberships, special events and workshops hosted by EHS, visit the EHS website.

Earth Alive Clean Technologies

Earth Alive Clean Technologies creates natural microbial products like Soil Activator to help overcome sustainability challenges related to soil degradation. Earth Alive has donated this product for our volunteers to use to help improve Edmonton’s green spaces.

Vanco Farms

Vanco Farms specializes in growing greenhouse grown cut tulips and high quality field tulips for producing bulbs. This year, volunteers can look forward to tulip bulbs from the Canadian Signature Collection for fall planting.

Become a Sponsor or Donor

Partners in Parks has many opportunities for your organization to support volunteerism. Become a corporate sponsor of in-kind products or donate funds to support program resources.

Partnership Opportunities

Partner with us to promote horticultural education and skill-development activities or innovative community projects.

2022 Partners In Parks Volunteers Sites By District

2023 Partners In Parks Available Bed Locations

View map as full screen.

Noxious Weeds

Not all flowers are friendly. Help pursue, capture and destroy these public enemies.

Volunteer Opportunities

Share your time, skills and energy with one of the many services or programs the city offers. Your involvement makes a difference

Parkland Care

Through the use of naturalization, responsible herbicide use and mowing, the City of Edmonton promotes biodiversity in our green spaces.

Composting

Turn your food scraps and yard waste into a valuable soil enhancement.

For More Information

Title	Community Greening Coordinator
Email	partnersinparks@edmonton.ca

311 Contact Centre

Online	Contact 311 Online

If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Telephone	311
TTY	711