environmental center host
Ford Calumet Environmental Center Hosts work alongside our Chicago Park District staff to welcome guests, field questions, and help visitors navigate the many opportunities available at the FCEC. These active volunteers are a friendly face at the information desk, assist with school groups, set up classrooms for programming, and foster a welcoming environment for visitors. Required skills include a quick smile and enthusiasm for talking about the Calumet Region and the Chicago Park District!
bike park trails volunteer
Bike Park Trails volunteers assist staff in ensuring that trails are maintained for visitors’ optimal safety and enjoyment. Duties include watering BMX and single track features, moving and tamping soil, removing vegetation, fielding visitor questions, and enforcing best practices for bicycle safety.
volunteer project opportunities
Since 2011, the Chicago Park District has made significant progress toward restoring Big Marsh Park into a space that allows recreational visitors and wildlife to coexist harmoniously. There’s still plenty of work to be done, and we rely heavily on our dedicated volunteers. If your scouting group, school, faith-based or community organization is looking to get involved in a fun and rewarding project we want to hear from you!
Getting Started
Interested group leaders should meet with Big Marsh staff to define a project’s scope, ensuring it meets the park’s needs and is a good match for the volunteer organization. Once a project is agreed upon, volunteers create a timeline, materials and equipment list, and a fabrication and installment plan. Big Marsh Park staff will do their best to provide materials, tools, and collaboration with volunteers when available. However, volunteers are expected to take ownership over their own projects, and should complete most of the work themselves.