Opportunities From: York County Parks Volunteer Portal

If your scout group or other civic group needs a one-time mini conservation project, please contact the nature center manager to discuss options and coordinate with your group. Use this opportunity to register and record your volunteer hours. Each participant must provide a completed waiver to the York County Parks before your project date. 

Some possible activities may include:

- Cleaning interpretive signs in the park (use a kitchen sponge and water)

- Hammering in tree cage and tube stakes to make wobbly stakes more stable. 

- Cleaning and fixing loose screws on the ABC Trail signs. 

- Cleaning gently the Story Trail signs. (soft cloth and water)

- Picking up litter in the nature center's 4 parking lots. 

- Pulling out old staples on two park kiosks (Hollowcreek Greenway and Wetland Parking Lots - need a flathead screw driver and trash bag)

- Participate in Citizen Science by bird-watching or identifying plants or animals and submitting your sightings to iNaturalist or ebird. 

- Check the nature play area/exploration forest for safety concerns and report back to park staff. 

- Check the nature play area/exploration forest for litter and lost and found. 

Many of our 11 parks have interpretive panels teaching visitors about the natural world. These signs get dirty, dusty, and can even grow lichen over time! About twice a year they need to be gently scrubbed and wiped clean with a scrub sponge and water. 

Supplies Needed: 

- scrub sponge, such as a scotch-brite

- container of water for wetting the sponge and rinsing signs

Click here for a Heritage Rail Trail Park Map. 

Instructions:

Visit the signs 1-3 times per year and give them a nice scrub and rinse. Record your volunteer hours here on the Volunteer Portal. Report any signs damaged or vandalized beyond easy cleaning to the parks office at 717-840-7440. 

Many of our 11 parks have interpretive panels teaching visitors about the natural world. These signs get dirty, dusty, and can even grow lichen over time! About twice a year they need to be gently scrubbed and wiped clean with a scrub sponge and water. 

Supplies Needed: 

- scrub sponge, such as a scotch-brite

- container of water for wetting the sponge and rinsing signs

Click here for a Heritage Rail Trail Park Map. 

Instructions:

Visit the signs 1-3 times per year and give them a nice scrub and rinse. Record your volunteer hours here on the Volunteer Portal. Report any signs damaged or vandalized beyond easy cleaning to the parks office at 717-840-7440. 

Many of our 11 parks have interpretive panels teaching visitors about the natural world. These signs get dirty, dusty, and can even grow lichen over time! About twice a year they need to be gently scrubbed and wiped clean with a scrub sponge and water. 

Supplies Needed: 

- scrub sponge, such as a scotch-brite

- container of water for wetting the sponge and rinsing signs

Click here for a Heritage Rail Trail Park Map. 

Instructions:

Visit the signs 1-3 times per year and give them a nice scrub and rinse. Record your volunteer hours here on the Volunteer Portal. Report any signs damaged or vandalized beyond easy cleaning to the parks office at 717-840-7440. 

Many of our 11 parks have interpretive panels teaching visitors about the natural world. These signs get dirty, dusty, and can even grow lichen over time! About twice a year they need to be gently scrubbed and wiped clean with a scrub sponge and water. 

Supplies Needed: 

- scrub sponge, such as a scotch-brite

- container of water for wetting the sponge and rinsing signs

Click here for a Heritage Rail Trail Park Map. 

Instructions:

Visit the signs 1-3 times per year and give them a nice scrub and rinse. Record your volunteer hours here on the Volunteer Portal. Report any signs damaged or vandalized beyond easy cleaning to the parks office at 717-840-7440. 

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to get service hours on their own time, at their own pace, and with their own supplies. This is a self-guided litter pick-up opportunity that requires bending down and careful attention to detail. 

Our pavilions are often used by picnickers, birthday parties, and other family events, but at the end of the event, exhausted guests often rush home leaving the pavilion looking worse than they found it. You can help by carefully inspecting pavilions for small litter on the ground. Remove tape on the sides and bottoms of picnic tables. Remove tape, balloon strings, staples, and push pins on the columns of the pavilion. Wipe down picnic tables and benches with soapy water. Check grills for pieces of aluminum foil and other waste. Report major problems or hazards to park staff at 717-840-7440. 

Supplies recommended:

Litter pick-up tongs (available at Harbor Freight)

Gloves such as garden gloves, work gloves, or latex gloves

A small bucket or large cup, a washcloth or paper towels, and some dish soap. (You can get water from the restroom sink or the water fountain during warm seasons). 

Grocery bags or a small trash bags. (trash can be left at the dumpster before you leave)

Pavilion Locations: 

William H. Kain County Park, Lake Redman Activity Area

John C. Rudy County Park, Pines Pavilions Area and Songbird Pavilion Area

Rocky Ridge County Park, All Three Parking Areas have Pavilions