Greeter Program

The greeter program will place volunteer docents in the Spring and Summer months at several heavily-trafficked park entrances. The greeter will have maps and a list of activities for entering park-users. They will also have information on barbecuing and will be supplied with important items ranging from garbage bags for patrons who request them to radios in case of an emergency. The greeters will be recruited from the general volunteer pool and will be trained by FVCP staff.

Trail Guide Program

The trails throughout the forests of Van Cortlandt are one of the park's greatest assets. However, because of unfamiliarity with the park and the urban forest, park-users are leery of enjoying the rich natural resources. The Trail Guides lead tours through various trails in the park. They are trained in tree and wildlife identification as well as geological and historical information on the park. Their main purpose is to educate park-users about the history and importance of urban forests.

Trail Maintenance Volunteer Events

The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park have adopted both the John Muir Nature Trail and the Croton Extension Trails of Van Cortalndt Park. Each year, weed growth, soil erosion and general wear and tear occur on the trail. Each spring and fall, during our Trail Maintenance Volunteer Days, volunteers help to clear the trail and to re-establish the paths by removing invasive plants, lining the trail with logs and planting native trees and shrubs.  Click here for a list of our upcoming volunteer events.

Compost/ Community Gardening

For the past three years the Friends have developed and maintained a compost site. The site demonstrates the proper use of compost in a smaller garden. For the first time the compost and garden will be made available to the public and volunteers to participate in various gardening projects and programs.

For more information on how you can volunteer please call 718-601-1553 or email fvcpeducation@hotmail.com.

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