Bend seeks trail volunteers May–Oct

Bend Park and Recreation District on May 12 asked community members to sign up for volunteer work on park and trail projects running from May through October, with assignments that include litter removal, weed pulling, trail work and planting native vegetation. The district said the projects will be led by its Natural Resources and Trails team at sites across Bend during the summer and early fall. The first event is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to noon at a southeast Bend property owned by the district. Tools and materials will be provided, according to the district’s announcement. The district said volunteers will help roll up barbed wire, remove trash, close off unofficial trails and stabilize or restore natural areas, depending on the site. BendSource separately reported the district’s call for volunteers this week, pointing readers to the same slate of projects and sign-up information. Bend Park and Recreation District says it manages more than 3,039 acres of developed and undeveloped parkland, 82 parks and open spaces, and more than 80 miles of trail. ### Which projects are on the calendar? Saturday, May 16 is the first listed volunteer day, with barbed wire removal and litter cleanup planned at a future park site in southeast Bend. The district said the site address would be shared by email with registered participants before the event. That project is listed as moderate work and is recommended for volunteers age 14 and older, with children under 16 required to attend with an adult. June 13 and June 24 are both scheduled for trail work at Shevlin Park from 9 a.m. to noon. The district classified those projects as moderate to heavy work and set the same age guidance of 14 and older, with adult supervision required for younger teens. ### Where else will volunteers be working this summer? July 11 is set for a Deschutes River cleanup running from Farewell Bend Park south to the Deschutes River Trail. The district said that event is part of the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council’s annual river cleanup and directed volunteers to sign up through the watershed council for that date. July 29 is scheduled for weed pulling and litter cleanup at the Pine Nursery Park off-leash area from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The district listed that event as light to moderate work and said all ages are welcome if volunteers under 16 attend with an adult. ### What happens later in the season? August 22 is scheduled for trail work at Rockridge Park from 9 a.m. to noon. The district described that assignment as moderate to heavy work and said it is best for volunteers 14 and older, with adult accompaniment required for participants under 16. October 3 is the last event listed in the current announcement, with native species planting planned in the lower canyon area of Riley Ranch Nature Reserve from 9 a.m. to noon. The district said that project is best for volunteers age 12 and older, again with an adult required for anyone younger than 16. ### What kinds of work are volunteers being asked to do? The district’s May 12 notice said the volunteer tasks vary by location but include pulling weeds, removing trash, closing social or unofficial trails and planting native vegetation. The volunteer page also lists parks, trails and off-leash areas among the district’s standing volunteer categories. Bend Park and Recreation District said participants should bring work or garden gloves, closed-toe shoes, a refillable water bottle, sunscreen and clothes suited to the weather, even though tools and materials will be supplied. The agency said advance sign-up is strongly encouraged for the project days. ### Where can people sign up? Bend Park and Recreation District directs would-be volunteers to its online volunteer pages and event sign-up listings for project details and registration. The district’s volunteer page says minimum age requirements vary by assignment and notes that volunteers age 18 and older who help in recreation programs and interact with the public undergo an annual criminal history background check. The next listed milestone is the May 16 cleanup at the southeast Bend future park site, followed by Shevlin Park trail projects on June 13 and June 24, according to the district’s event schedule.