BLOOMINGTON — City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, along with local community partners, has announced a diverse lineup of late summer volunteer opportunities. From local environmental conservation efforts to family-favorite community events, residents are invited to step up and make a hands-on impact across the city.
In the spirit of public service—echoing President John F. Kennedy’s famous call that “every person can make a difference, and every person should try”—local organizations are recruiting volunteers of all skill levels for upcoming initiatives in environmental stewardship, event production, and community engagement.
Environmental Stewardship & Local Agriculture
Park Ridge East Park Pollinator Garden Maintenance
- The Mission: The Pollinator Garden at Park Ridge East Park serves as a crucial urban sanctuary for native plants, beneficial insects, and local wildlife to complete their life cycles. Volunteers will assist with weeding garden beds to give native species space to thrive and applying mulch along visitor pathways.
- The Takeaway: In addition to maintaining the park, volunteers will gain practical knowledge on how to select native plants and establish pollinator-friendly habitats in their own backyards.
Bloomington Community Orchard Weed Wrangle
- The Mission: Located at 2120 S. Highland Ave. near Winslow Woods, the flagship Bloomington Community Orchard is an all-volunteer, publicly accessible site dedicated to local food security and sustainable agriculture. Volunteers are teaming up for a “Weed Wrangle” to control invasive plant species threatening the orchard’s health.
- Details: Participants will gather at the orchard to collect tools, gloves, and gear before clearing invasive brush. No prior orcharding experience is required.
Community Events & Local Favorites
Drool in the Pool (Mills Pool)
- The Mission: As the summer swimming season winds down for human visitors, Bryan Park’s Mills Pool reopens its gates for two days of dog-friendly swimming.
- Volunteer Roles: Volunteers are needed to assist staff with check-in procedures, keep the pool deck organized and safe, and help entertain four-legged guests during their swim sessions.
‘Junk in the Trunk’ Community Garage Sale
- The Mission: Held at Switchyard Park, this multi-seller indoor/outdoor community garage sale draws shoppers from across Monroe County looking for unique secondhand finds.
- Volunteer Roles: Helpers are needed throughout the day to guide traffic, direct vendor load-in, set up safety flagging, provide shift relief for sellers, and manage post-event tear-down.
Bloomington Farmers’ Market Tomato Tasting
- The Mission: A staple summer celebration at the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market, the annual Tomato Tasting offers marketgoers a chance to sample a wide array of locally grown heirloom and hybrid tomato varieties.
- Volunteer Roles: Volunteers will support the event by managing setup, slicing and preparing fresh tomatoes for public tasting, serving guests, and assisting with event cleanup.
How to Get Involved
All listed events are open to individual volunteers, families, and community groups. Advance registration is required for most shifts to ensure adequate supplies and site coordination.
Residents interested in signing up for specific shifts or viewing the full calendar of municipal volunteer roles can register online through the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network. For additional questions regarding environmental or event volunteer programs, contact Bloomington Parks and Recreation at 812-349-3739.
