Volunteer Opportunity
Garfield Park Conservatory Volunteers
Location(s): Garfield Park ConservatoryContact Name: Melanie Harding
Contact Phone: (773)638-1766
Contact email: Volunteer Contact Email
Volunteer Description:
At more than 100 years old, the Garfield Park Conservatory is an historic landmark and cultural gem located on Chicago’s West Side. The Conservatory has 12-acres of land and over 4-acres of indoor greenhouses teeming with tropical plants and historic structures, as well as innovative exhibits and programming for the public. The Conservatory managed through a partnership between the Chicago Park District and the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, a non-profit organization housed within the facility. The Park District owns and operates the Conservatory, managing the physical space and its extensive collection of plants and gardens. The Alliance works to enhance the Conservatory and its collections by developing and implementing visitor services, programs, special events, and volunteer opportunities for the greater Chicago area, with a special emphasis on the West Side community. Garfield Park Conservatory is a place where community grows through a unique combination of people, plants, and place.
The following volunteer opportunities are available at the Garfield Park Conservatory:
Weekend Family Programming
Volunteers can help facilitate drop-in explorations and make-and-take activities in the Children’s Garden, Sugar from the Sun, and Demonstration Garden, as well as throughout the Conservatory; assist with preparation of materials for weekend family programs. (Applicants may be asked to take part in an in-person interview with our Family Programs Coordinator before volunteering begins.)
Special Events
Volunteers can help behind the scenes and on the front-line with special events like County Fair, Creatures of the Night, Meet the Bees, and Green & Growing Fair. Meet and greet visitors, help facilitate hands-on activities and education stations, assist with traffic flow, and help with set-up, break-down, and behind the scenes preparations.
***We are now recruiting for the upcoming, all new event, Sweet Saturdays Series that highlights the Conservatory’s tropical treats, like vanilla, ginger, bananas, and even chocolate. Event dates are February 7, 14 & 21, 2009. Volunteer training for this event will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2009. Call today for more information!
Administrative Support
Volunteers can assist Programming, Development, Administration, and New Communities Departments with ongoing tasks like data entry, sorting and filing, space organization and mailings.
Demonstration Garden & Community Greenhouse
Volunteers can help plan, plant, and maintain the outdoor Demonstration Garden for public visitation and programming, with the guidance of Chicago Park District and Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance staff. Off-season opportunities may include plant propagation and maintenance in our Community Greenhouse. Beginning and skilled gardeners welcome.
Horticultural Support
Volunteers can work with Chicago Park District horticulturists and floriculturists behind the scenes in the plant collection to maintain the beautiful displays visitors have come to expect at the Conservatory. Beginning and skilled gardeners welcome; however, most tasks are related to the grooming and maintenance of plant collections and greenhouses. Other tasks will be assigned based on experience and skill level.
Please submit completed volunteer application to:
Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
Attn: Volunteer Program Manager
300 N Central Park Ave
Chicago, IL 60624
