Raleigh Parks Volunteer Services Program Annual Report 2025

FY 2025

Volunteer Services Program Annual Report

Thank You

VolunteersanddonorsarecrucialtotheRaleighParks,RecreationandCulturalResourcesDepartment’smissionand wecouldnothavehadsuchawonderfulyearwithoutyourdedicationtoourparksandgreenways.Wewanttoshare oursincerethanksfromeveryonehereatRaleighParks.Whetheryoudonatedtime,talents,resources,orallthree, youdirectlyimpactedthecommunityandourorganizationalmission.

Mission, Vision, Values

Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department (PRCR) Mission Statement

Togetherweconnectandenrichourcommunitythroughexceptionalexperiences

PRCR Vision

BringingPeopletoparksandparkstopeople.

PRCR Values

Servewithkindness,compassion,andrespect,embracingeveryuniquestory.

Preserveandnurtureoursharedspacesthroughthoughtfulstewardship

Encouragefun,sparkcuriosity,andinspirebelonging

PRCR Volunteer Services Program Mission

Byutilizingvolunteers,PRCRwillexpanditsresources,developpositivecommunityrelationshipsand provideagreatplaceforRaleighcitizenstoliveandplay.

PRCR Volunteer Services Program Vision

Bringpeopletoparks,andparkstopeoplethroughvolunteerismandcommunityengagement.

PRCR Volunteer Services Program Values

Safe,Fun,Getthejobdone!

Community Connections Through Volunteerism

Connectingthecommunitytovolunteeropportunitiesprovidesagatewaytoformingmeaningfulpartnerships withthoseRaleighParksserves.Volunteersdirectlyenhancetheircommunitiesthroughprovidingexceptional experiencessuchascoachingyouthathleticleagues,instructingrecreationalclasses,supportingevents,and evensupportingtheenvironmentalhealthofRaleighthroughourparkenhancementandstewardship opportunities.

Thesemeaningfulexperiencesforthevolunteers,programparticipants,staff,andourdepartmentcultivatea cultureofconnectednesstoone’scommunity.Eachexperiencecanbuildinvestmentinourparksandtrails whilecarryingphysical/mentalhealth,andsocialbenefitsforallinvolved.

VolunteersaremorethanaresourcetoRaleighParks.Theyarepartoftheteamanddirectlyconnectedtothe accomplishmentofourmissionandtheexperiencesofthecommunityatlarge.

Volunteer Services Program FY 25 Accomplishments

ThisyearmarkedanotherexceptionalyearofvolunteerismwiththeRaleighParks,RecreationandCultural ResourcesDepartment.TheVolunteerServicesProgramsawgrowthfromourcommunitydonatingtheirtime, talentsandresources.Thisyearwecelebratedsomegreatsuccessesinpartnershipwithourvolunteersand colleagues.Hereareafewkeyhighlights:

• Volunteer Participation: Justover13,800volunteersassistedwithparkenhancementprojects,youth athleticleagues,events,andmuchmore.ThisofficiallybringsusbacktoPre-COVIDvolunteernumbers. Volunteersservedover55,700hours,whichisvaluedatover$1.8millionbasedontheIndependent SectorsValueofVolunteerService.

• Expanded Volunteer Services Team: Thisyear,theVolunteerServicesProgramaddedanewparttimepositiontohelpleadvolunteerprojects.Thiswillallowourfull-timecoordinatorstospendmore timeintheofficetocoordinateprojects,butdon’tfret!Ourcoordinatorswillstillgettobeoutat projectsworkingalongsidevolunteers.Thisnewstaffpositionisexpandingourcapacitytoserveour communitywhilehelpingtoencouragework-lifebalancefortheteam.

• Formalized Volunteer Code of Conduct: TheVolunteerServicesProgramformalizedandpublisheda Volunteer Code of Conduct whichcanbefoundonourwebsiteandwillbegintobeincorporatedinto volunteerhandbooksiftheopportunityrequiresone.Thisisasetofguidingprinciplesforallvolunteers toadheretoensureallprojectsmeetourSafe.Fun.GetitDone!Goal.

• Expanded CCNC Raleigh Youth Conservation Corps to more sites: Thissummermarkedthesixth RaleighYouthConservationCorpsinpartnershipwithConservationCorpsNorthCarolina(CCNC).This yearthecrewexpandedtoworkingin7parksandgreenwaytrailsthusspreadingtheirimpactacross RaleighParks.ThiseffortwasincollaborationwithRaleighParks’NaturalResourcesDivisionwho helpeddesignprojectsandeducationalopportunitiesforthecrewsaswellasprovidedfundingtoallow forthisexpansion.Staffopenedtheirfacilitiesandmentoredtheteensforoneweekatatime.This diversityofparksandtrailsleadtoagreaterunderstandingofthedifferentecologiesacrossRaleighand theconservationrequirementsineach.Theyouthparticipatedineverythingfromecologicalsurveys andinvasiveremovalstostreamrestorationandnativeplantings.

• Budding Interest in the Raleigh Rose Garden: Thisyearstaffimplementedanewrecruitingstrategy fortheRaleighRoseGardenProgramandsawsignificantgrowth.Outof60beds,onlytworemain unadopted.Thisprogramwasalsoinstrumentalinstartingthetransitionintovolunteersreporting theirhoursthroughCERVIS.

Overall Volunteer Impacts on the Department

The “Big Three” Metrics

The“BigThree”metricsarethestandardsbywhichmostvolunteerprogramsshowcasethetotalimpacttheir volunteersmake.The“BigThree”metricshelpquantifydatabutdonotalwaysreflecthard-to-quantifyimpacts suchasthesenseofcommunityvolunteersoftenbuildorexactlyhowtheyhaveimpactedtheorganizationand community.

* Thisnumberdoesnotdistinguishbetweenindividualvolunteersandthosewhovolunteeredmultipletimes.

Impact Highlights

Belowarejustafewhighlightsofhowvolunteershaveimpactedtheircommunitytohelpputthe“BigThree” metricsintoperspective.

Volunteer Impact By Division

Parks and Natural Resources Division

Overall Metrics

Thisdatareflectstheeffortsofvolunteersservinginour ParksandNaturalResourcesDivision.Thesevolunteers helpwitheverythingfromsingle-timeparkenhancement projectstoourongoingopportunitiessuchasAdopt-APark/Trail,andGardenPrograms.

• 5,162 Volunteers

• 11,898 Hours of Service

• $398,453 Value of Service

Division Volunteer Opportunities

Thedataabovereflectstheeffortsofvolunteersserving insomeofthefollowingcapacities:

• Adopt-A-ParkandAdopt-A-TrailPrograms

• CitizenScience

• EnvironmentalEvents

• GardenPrograms

• Greenhouseopportunities

• Invasiveplantremovals

• Scoutingprojectawards

• Single-timepark-enhancementprojects

“Staffwereveryfriendlyandknowledgeable.Itwaswell organized,andwewereabletoaccomplishthegoal.Asa bonus,meetingsomanypeople,theRaleighParksandNC WildlifeFederationstaffwhoalsocareenoughtohelp wasrefreshing.Itwasalsoagreatsocialexperienceand rewardingtodosomethingforourenvironment.Thank youforarrangingit.”- Volunteer testimonial submitted via survey

Recreation Division

Overall Metrics

Thisdatareflectstheeffortsofvolunteersservinginour RecreationDivision.Thesevolunteershelpwith everythingfromathleticleaguecoachingtoevents.

• 5,611 Volunteers

• 32,173 Hours of Service

• $1,077,459 Value of Service

Division Volunteer Opportunities

Thedataabovereflectstheeffortsofvolunteersserving insomeofthefollowingcapacities:

• AdultProgramliaisons

• Aquaticswimmeets

• Athleticleaguecoaches

• CommunityCenterevents

• EnglishasaSecondLanguageinstructors

• Instructors

• Programassistants

• SpecializedRecreationProgram

“Yes!IhadalotoffunworkingatmytableandIfelt verywelltakencareofasavolunteer.Thefestival wasverylivelyaswellwhichwasfuntosee.”

- Volunteer testimonial submitted via survey

Resources Division

Overall Metrics

Thisdatareflectstheeffortsofvolunteersservinginour ResourcesDivision.Thesevolunteersparticipatein opportunitiesfocusedonourhistoricandculturalsites andartsprogramsaswellasDixParkevents.

• 3,013 Volunteers

• 11,132 Hours of Service

• $372,813 Value of Service

Division Volunteer Opportunities

Thedataabovereflectstheeffortsofvolunteersserving insomeofthefollowingcapacities:

• Artprograms

• BoardsandCommissions

• CityMuseumCollections

• Docents

• DorotheaDixParkevents

• Events

• FriendsofCityofRaleighMuseum

• HolidayExpress

• Instructors/programassistants

“ThiswasmysecondtimevolunteeringattheHoliday Expressandit’soneofmyfavoriteeventstohelpout with!Seeingthekidsandparentsenjoyallofthe activitiesandgamesthattheparksetsupissospecial andisdefinitelyworththetimespentinthecold.”

- Volunteer testimonial submitted via survey

Business Process Management Division

Overall Metrics

Thisdatareflectstheeffortsofvolunteersservinginour BusinessProcessManagementDivision.Thesevolunteers arepartofourNCStateWorkStudyProgram

• 161 Volunteers

• 913 Hours of Service

• $30,567 Value of Service

Division Volunteer Opportunities

TheNCSUWorkStudyProgramplacesstudentsin variousprogramareasacrossthedepartmenttogain careerskillsandworkexperience.

Theseundergraduatestudentsengageinalldivisionsof thedepartmentfocusingprimarilyoncommunity buildingprograms. Theirinvolvementnotonlyenhances theireducationalexperiencebutalsofostersasenseof connectionandcollaborationtothecommunity.

NCSUfundstheirworkandRaleighParks,Recreationand CulturalResourcesDepartmentbenefitsfrombeingable toexpandourworkforceandsharereallifejobskillswith localstudents.

“Thestaffwerefriendly,knowledgeableandhelpful.I learnedtheproperwaytoplantatree(whoknewIwas doingitwrong?!)Thestaffalsomadetheexperience excitingwiththeirpositiveandenergeticattitudes. Overall,agreatexperience.”

- Volunteer testimonial submitted via survey

Where Are Volunteers Serving?

Park Maintenance District Location Key

Thefollowinggraphsshowdifferentdatasetsandassignthemtoaparkmaintenancedistrictasalocationidentifier tohelpshowwhereourvolunteersserveacrossRaleigh.Weutilizethesedistrictstocategorizelocationbecausethey includeun-staffedparksandtrailsaswellasourstaffedcenters.Belowisakeyofwherethesedistrictsarelocated.

Park Maintenance District Key for the Following Graphs

District 1 - SouthwestRaleigh

Destination Parks (DPC) -JohnChavisPark,PullenPark, DorotheaDixPark,andtheRoseGarden

District 2 - SoutheastRaleigh Cemeteries (CEM) -CityCemetery,Mt.HopeCemetery,and O’RorkeCatholicCemetery

District 3 - NorthRaleigh Greenway (GWY) -All120milesofgreenwaytrails maintainedbytheCityofRaleigh

District 4 - CentraltoNorthwestRaleigh Greenhouse (GH)–CityofRaleighGreenhouse

District 5 - DowntownRaleigh

District 6 - NortheastRaleigh

Streets – UrbanForestryprojectslocatedinrightofways

Various -TheseareprogramssuchasNCSUWorkStudyor ActiveAdultsLiaisonsthatmeetacrossRaleighandarenot tiedtoonelocation.

All Volunteer Involvement Located by Park Maintenance District

Thischartshowsthetotalnumberofvolunteersandhoursservedineachparkmaintenancedistrict.Thisdata includesvolunteeropportunitiesfromeachdivisionwithinRaleighParks.

Total Number of Volunteers by Division in Each Park Maintenance District

ThischartshowsthenumberofvolunteersservingacrossRaleighandwhichdivisionanddistrictofRaleighParks theyserved. Hours Served by Raleigh Parks Division in Each Park Maintenance District

ThischartshowsthehoursvolunteersservedacrossRaleighandinwhatdivisionanddistricttheyserved.

Volunteer Experience Data

Thisdatawascollectedthroughasurveythatisemailedtoallvolunteersthatattendoneofoursingle-time volunteeropportunities.

“TheRaleighparksstaffwereSOWONDERFUL!Ican'trememberhisnamebuttherewasonestaffmemberin particularwhomadetheexperiencephenomenal-hegavethegroupatourofthefacilitythatwasveryeducational andfun.Hispassionforhisjobwasevident,andheexpressedsuchsinceregratitudeforourhelp,thatitreally mademehappytobethere…Thisexperiencewasanabsolutedelight,thestaffstayedwithusthewholetimeand wechattedwithuswhileweallworkedtogether.TheparkshereareoneofmyfavoriteaspectsoflivinginRaleigh, andIfeelevenmoregratitudetowardstheParksDepartmentaftergettingaglimpseinsidetheoperations.”

- Volunteer testimonial submitted via survey

Top Three Favorite Aspects of Volunteering with Raleigh Parks

TopThreeReasonsforVolunteeringwithPRCR

*Therewasatieforthirdplace.

Top

Three Least Favorite Aspects of Volunteering with Raleigh Parks

TopThreeLeastFacoriteAspectsof

*“Other”includedresponsessuchasheat,work assignment,othervolunteer’smotivationlevels.

Additional Programs Managed by Volunteer Services

Raleigh Youth Conservation Corps

Overview

Thismarkedthe6th yearoftheRaleighYouth ConservationCorpsinpartnershipwithConservation CorpsNorthCarolina(CCNC) Thisprogramhireslocal teensforsummeremployment,andtheygainhands-on workexperience,leadershipskills,andvaluable professionalconnections,allwhilemakingameaningful impactintheirlocalcommunity.

Thisyearthecrewexpandedtoworkinginsevenpark andgreenwaylocations.Theirworkfocusedoninvasive speciesremoval,trailmaintenance,streamrestoration, soilsampling,ecologicalsurveyingandmore

Impacts

• 2,240 Hours Worked

• 2.5 Acres of Invasive Management

• 700 Bales of pine straw spread

• 118 Ashe trees surveyed

Partners

• ConservationCorpsNorthCarolina

• DixParkConservancy

• WoodsonFamilyFoundation

• RaleighParksNaturalResourcesDivision

“Ireallyenjoyedmytimewiththisyouthcrew,anditset meuponthepathIamontoday.Aftergraduatinghigh school,IamnowattendingClemsonUniversitytostudy forestry.Inthesummers,I’vebeenworkingasawildland firefighter”

- Testimonial from a past program participant via email

Donation Programs

TheVolunteerServicesProgrammanagestwodonation programsandassistswithcoordinatinglarge-scale projectswithcommunityengagementaspects.

Donor/Memorial Bench Program

Thisprogramoffersindividualsorgroupsthe opportunitytodonateparkbenchesinhonorormemory ofsomeone.TheyworkwithParkMaintenancestaffto confirmthelocation.

• 15 Benches Donated

• $10,500 Donated

General Park Enhancement Fund

ThisGeneralParkEnhancementFundallowsfor donationstobemadetowardsitemsforpark enhancementprojectssuchaslandscapematerial,plants, andotheritems.Allprojects/donationsmustbeapproved andfollowourParkMaintenanceStandardsandMaster Plans.

• 5 Donations

• $6,579 Total Value of all Donations

• $3,224 Value of In-kind Donations

2025 Fred Fletcher Outstanding Volunteer Awards

TheFredFletcherOutstandingVolunteerAwardsareheldeachMaytorecognizevolunteersfortheirhardwork. NominationsareopentostaffandthepublicandarevotedonbytheParksRecreationandGreenwayAdvisory Board’sFredFletcherVolunteerCommittee.

2025 Fred Fletcher Outstanding Volunteer Award Recipients

Award

Harvey Karsevar Award

Recipient

CarrMcLamb

Outstanding Athletic Volunteer JohnPrice

Outstanding Financial Contributor TerryHenderson

Outstanding Greenway Volunteer RedHat

Outstanding Adopt-A-Park Volunteer DaveGrecky

Outstanding Adult Program Volunteer JaneFenn

Outstanding Volunteer Group

EmpowerAllInc.

Outstanding Project VolunteerIndividual SarahReeves

Outstanding Project Volunteer - Group RiverCaneWetlandParkCommunityAdvisoryGroup

Outstanding Park Volunteer AlexisArterberry

Outstanding Program Volunteer CorrineKallman

Outstanding Teen Volunteer LilyRankin

Outstanding Cultural Resources Volunteer BrandiNeuwirth

Award of Excellence HeartofCarolinaChapterofTuskegeeAirmen,Inc.