By Cindy Tirrell
Last month, we explored the benefits of walking Brookdale Park and healing in its greenery through the Dutch practice of Uitwaaien. This month, let’s talk about giving back to the park that gives us so much. No, we don’t mean monetarily though donations are always welcome, we mean joining our growing group of volunteers.
The Brookdale Park Conservancy partners with companies, individuals, and organizations to provide volunteer opportunities in the park. It's such a win-win to learn about gardens, reduce your stress, meet new people and help others.
Come try it out! No experience is needed, as we offer guidance and provide tools…and sometimes snacks too! We welcome families and children, teens, individuals, groups and workplace outings.
Have I piqued your volunteer interest? Meet some of our regular volunteers and learn what inspires them to serve in Brookdale Park.
JENNIFER BROWN is a busy working mom. She and her two teenage sons find Brookdale Park to be a great place to volunteer. The early motivation was service hours needed for high school requirements. But soon, Jennifer realized how great it felt to be outside and to work in the soil. Through their volunteer work at the park, they are learning how to care for their own yard. Jennifer said she feels proud walking through the park seeing their work and we appreciate the family's hard work on community volunteer days.
A retiree, DICK FRANKEBERGER volunteers in Brookdale Park almost daily! You’ll find him most often in the Rose Garden, but he joins other projects too. He feels volunteering is a way to answer the call, to be helpful where there is a need. Although he volunteers for other organizations, Dick says he gets the greatest sense of peace from being a gardener, like his grandparents. Some of his special memories of the park are playing softball, attending concerts, and spending time there with his kids when they were young. We can see that giving back to the park is important to him and we are very grateful.
DOTUN OSHOLOWU is a vibrant, vivacious volunteer! We all perk up when he arrives because he brings a huge smile and a “can-do” attitude. He decided to volunteer with the Brookdale Park Conservancy to motivate himself to spend time outdoors despite his impaired vision, which was initially very intimidating. Watering trees, pulling weeds and planting bulbs made his other senses come alive and he enjoys his time in the park. He is our “Maintenance Monday” team hero. We look forward to seeing his smile and are inspired by his enthusiasm and dedication.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - 2024!
Join us to work on creating a meadow near the pollinator garden during our "Community Volunteer Days" from 10 to noon on Saturdays 3/23, 4/20 (Earth Day), and 5/18.
Be a part of the “Maintenance Mondays” team! We tend to the park by weeding and watering. It may not sound glamorous but it makes a huge difference and it’s fun working together. We plan to meet 5/13, 5/20, 6/3, 6/10, 7/1, 7/15, 7/29, 8/12, 8/26, 9/9, and 9/23 from 9:30-11.
To get started, email volunteer@brookdaleparkconservancy.org
Children’s Activity:
Help put their senses “back in order”
Children need a break from their devices and the daily stressors that cause anxiety–far too great for young minds. To quote the famous Naturalist John Burroughs, “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” Volunteering at the park is a perfect opportunity to be outdoors, explore nature, and help others. All shown to reduce stress and anxiety in people of any age.
Cindy Tirrell is a fairly new Brookdale Park Conservancy member and a retired public school teacher of 33 years. Volunteering at Brookdale Park for the past year has “filled her bucket” in many ways- making new friends, being a part of planning and completing park projects, increasing horticultural knowledge, and contributing to the good of our community in a very tangible way. She takes pride in the beauty of the park and the smiles from other volunteers as they experience seeing the difference they’ve made after a few hours of teamwork.