Park Stewards are vital community members dedicated to enhancing the environmental health, safety, and beauty of Chattanooga’s diverse park system. This includes our neighborhood parks, playgrounds, greenways, trails, and natural areas. By adopting a specific location, stewards provide consistent care, serve as helpful eyes and ears on the ground, and help foster a culture of appreciation and responsible use for our shared outdoor spaces.
Responsibilities: Park Stewards work collaboratively with Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors staff and engage in a range of hands-on activities and observational duties tailored to their assigned site and chosen focus area.
Core responsibilities include:
- Performing light maintenance tasks such as picking up litter and debris, clearing hard surfaces, cleaning park furniture and signs, removing weeds, and trimming overgrown vegetation.
- Assisting with basic horticultural and conservation efforts, including caring for trees/plants, and supporting habitat restoration initiatives.
- Monitoring the condition of park amenities, trails, and natural features, and reporting maintenance needs, damage, or hazardous conditions promptly.
- Serving as a welcoming and approachable representative of Chattanooga Parks, providing general information to visitors and encouraging adherence to park rules and responsible use.
- Observing and reporting unusual or suspicious activity to appropriate staff or authorities.
Focus Areas: While serving as a Park Steward, you will have the opportunity to specialize and concentrate your efforts within one of the following focus areas, aligning your volunteer work with your interests and the specific needs of your adopted site:
- General Park Care: Primarily focused on the upkeep and visitor experience within developed parks, playgrounds, and recreation center grounds.
- Trail & Greenway Care: Primarily focused on the maintenance and accessibility of designated trails and greenways.
- Ecological Stewardship: Primarily focused on conservation activities, habitat support, and care of natural areas, rain gardens, or other environmental assets within the park system.
- Signature Park Ambassador: Signature Park Ambassadors are volunteers who serve as welcoming and knowledgeable representatives of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors at designated, high-traffic "signature" park locations (Coolidge Park, Renaissance Park, Montague Park/Sculpture Fields, Miller Park, Ross's Landing, Greenway Farm, TN Riverpark, & Warner Park). They act as a friendly human information resource, dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience by providing helpful information about the park, the Department, and Chattanooga as a whole.
Commitment: Park Stewards commit to adopting a specific park site or trail/area section and visiting their assigned location a minimum of two times per month for one year.
Requirements: To serve as a Park Steward, volunteers must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old, or 15 years old if accompanied by a supervising adult.
- Successfully pass a background check.
- Possess the ability to work independently while following direction from Parks staff.
- Be comfortable interacting professionally and courteously with the public, other volunteers, and park staff.
- Demonstrate commitment to the mission and goals of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors.
- Be willing to work outdoors in various weather conditions and on natural terrain.
- Provide their own transportation to and from their volunteer site.
- Wear appropriate outdoor clothing and required closed-toe shoes while volunteering.
- Attend program orientation and any specific training relevant to their chosen focus area and assigned tasks.
- Adhere to all park rules, regulations, and volunteer policies.
Support: Park Stewards are supported by the Parks Maintenance staff and receive guidance and coordination from the Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator, who serves as the primary point of contact for volunteers.
Impact: By consistently dedicating their time and effort within their chosen focus area, Park Stewards are fundamental partners in ensuring that Chattanooga's parks, trails, greenways, and natural areas remain beautiful, safe, and accessible for the enjoyment of all residents and visitors, now and for future generations.
Application/On-boarding
To become a Park Steward, please submit an application here. Volunteers will be asked to complete a background check and attend an orientation session.
