Morningside Park’s 30 acres – including gardens, trees, paths, playgrounds and pond – need constant upkeep to maintain a welcoming space for the community and wildlife alike.
Volunteers play an essential role in this upkeep! Explore all of the ways that you and/or your community groups can get involved and help care for our beloved historical landmark.
Second Saturdays in the Park
Help beautify the Park every second Saturday of the month, March - November, from 10 AM - Noon, weather permitting. Volunteers collect trash, weed, plant, mulch, and rake leaves. No experience is necessary and all are welcome! Supplies, including gloves and safety guidelines are provided.
Kids, accompanied by an adult, are encouraged to join. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information and to sign up, please click here.
Friends of Morningside Park Friday Morning Gardeners
Under the direction of the Park's Head Gardener, Ben, Friday morning volunteers pull weeds, prune, plant flowers and spread mulch all year. Gardening know-how is nice, but not required. Garden gloves are recommended.
Individuals and small groups are welcome weekly, year-round, weather permitting. Email volunteer@morningsidepark.org for more information.
BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) Trash Pick-up
Collect loose trash while strolling the stairways, paths or perimeter of the Park on a schedule that works best for you. Close collected trash bags and place them near existing trash bins for Sanitation workers to pick up.
NOTE: Never toss sharp objects, like needles or broken glass, into trash bags as doing so could harm you or someone else. If you come across needles or other dangerous objects, please call 311.
A trash grabber will also come in handy for this activity. Here's our favorite folding trash grabber on Amazon.
We encourage you to track your BYOB volunteer hours here, with our gratitude!
Request an It’s My Park Project as a Project Leader with Partnership for Parks (PfP)
It's My Park Project Leaders can apply via an approval process with Partnership for Parks; please wait to until you receive confirmation from a PfP staff member before finalizing project day plans. Click here for the It’s My Park Project request link.
The Morningside Park PfP Outreach Coordinator is:
Carlos Acosta
Carlos.acosta@parks.nyc.com
Request a Group Volunteer Project with Partnerships for Parks
Are you with a non-profit and wish to scheduled a volunteer project with 20 or more participants? If yes, then this request link is for you. Partnerships for Parks reviews and approves these requests. Please see their website for more information.
Are you looking for an individual or group volunteer opportunity outside of these options? You can email us at volunteer@morningsidepark.org and we'll be happy to help find a solution.
For all other questions, please contact Friends of Morningside Park here. We are an all-volunteer organization and attempt to respond to all requests within 48 hours. Thank you for your interest in volunteering in Morningside Park.