Park Partners

Volunteers are "the backbone of our community."   Bemidji offers a number of opportunities to volunteer your time and efforts to improve the quality of life for everyone.

What is Park Partners?

Park Partners is a partnership between Bemidji Parks and Recreation and citizen volunteers to improve and maintain Bemidji's natural environment, educate the community, and keep our parks and trails clean, green and safe. 

Why become a Partner?

You or your group can:

• Learn a new skill
• Meet new people
• Give back to your community
• Help keep Bemidji beautiful
• Share your expertise
• Get outdoors
• Get active
• Have fun!

What do Park Partners do?

Here are just a few great ways to get involved:

1. Park, Trail or Green Space Steward:  Adopt a site to keep clean, green and safe.  Lots of great locations, including Bemidij's North Country Park.  Individuals, community groups and businesses are welcome; minimum one-year commitment.
2. Recreation Programs & Events:  Help out with ongoing programs such as Summer Day Camps and Green Thumb Vegetable Gardening; or annual events such as Movie Nights at the Waterfront, Fitness events and races, just to name a few.

Community Tree Inventory:  You will learn to identify and measure trees, as well as determine their condition and value; work with a team to help finish the City of Bemidji's tree inventory which started in 2011. 

Volunteer Efforts—Park Partners

Volunteers Helped steward Bemidji’s Parks, Trails and Green Spaces in 2012 through adopting parks and trails, beautifying community spaces such as the Public Library and volunteering to clean up litter and debris.  Park Partners keep Bemidji beautiful and a great place to live.

25 volunteers logged over 100 hours volunteering in the parks.

• Five different community groups brought more than 30 youth to help clean up Nymore, Otto Schmunk and Diamond Point Parks.
• Over 100 Bemidji State University and Bemidji High School Athletes assisted in picking up debris at Diamond Point Park after the July storm. 
• Community Tree Inventory Volunteers –17  community members each invested over 12 hours of training and data collection time to inventory Bemidji’s urban forest for use in future management plans.
• Over 50 Recreation Volunteers Ensured that Recreation Programs and Events went smoothly in 2012.  Volunteers assist in registration, monitoring activities, assisting participants, setting up for events as well as clean-up after an event. 

How do you become a Park Partner?

It's easy!  Fill out a Park Partner Volunteer Application Form.  Turn it into City Hall or the Public Works Facility.  A staff member will contact you regarding your application, interests, abilties and preferred locations.