Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in volunteering in the Brookline Parks. The following is a list of current opportunities for groups to get active and involved in their community. Brookline Parks and Open Space can provide tools and supplies as necessary. Find a site and project that interest you, and think of a date and time frame that will work for your group, or look at our Featured Projects for already scheduled projects in which you can participate. Then click on “Sign up Now”, and fill out an application, including any questions, concerns or special needs you may have. If you have a different project or idea you are interested in organizing, please let us know!

Make sure to check back regularly, as more projects will become available over time, and different seasons bring different challenges.

We look forward to seeing you in the parks!

Friends of Hall's Pond Community Planting & Cleanup Day

SUNDAY, MAY 15TH

11AM - 2PM

Hall's Pond Sanctuary is located adjacent to Amory Playground off Amory St. in Brookline.

Meet at the entrance to Hall's Pond Sanctuary at the entrance closest to the tennis courts.

Cleanups such as this provide a great opportunity to help your neighborhood parks and Brookline’s natural areas through targeted trail maintenance and invasive species management and removal.  All ages welcome. No RSVP necessary.

Work gloves and all tools provided.  Please bring sunscreen and wear long sleeves, pants, and footwear appropriate for working in off-trail forests and fields.  

For questions and/or additional information, please contact: friendsofhallspond@gmail.com or check out the website at http://friendsofhallspond.org/preserving-the-sanctuary/community-work-days/

Other Projects


  1. Dane Park


    Dane-Park

    Hammond St. and Woodland Rd.
    Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

    Projects Available: Spring Cleanup, Invasive Plant Removal

  2. Hall’s Pond Sanctuary & Amory Woods


    Halls-Pond-Sanctuary-Amory-Woods

    Amory St. and Freeman St.
    Brookline, MA 02445

    Projects Available:     Waterway Cleanup, Invasive Plant Removal, Trail Maintenance


  1. Larz Anderson Park


    Larz-Anderson-Park

    Goddard Ave. and Newton Ave.
    Brookline, MA 02445

    Projects Available: Invasive Plant Removal, Trail Maintenance

  2. D. Blakely Hoar Sanctuary


    D-Blakely-Hoar-Sanctuary

    Gerry Rd., Behind Baker School
    Brookline, MA 02445

    Projects Available: Invasive Plant Removal, Waterway Cleanup, Trail Maintenance


  1. Lost Pond Sanctuary


    Lost-Pond-Sanctuary

    Arlington Rd.
    Brookline, MA 02445


    Projects Available: Invasive Plant Removal, Trail Maintenance


  2. Olmsted Park


    Olmsted-Park

    Boylston St. to Chestnut St.
    Brookline, MA 02445

    Projects Available: 

  1. Riverway


    Riverway

    St. Mary’s St. to Boylston St.
    Brookline, MA 02445


    Projects Available: Invasive Plant Removal, Waterway Cleanup


  2. Brookline Reservoir


    Brookline-Reservoir

    Lee St. and Boylston St. and Warren St.
    Brookline, MA 02445

    Projects Available: Trail Maintenance

Group Project Details

  1. Invasive Plants 
  2. Trails
  3. Waterways

Invasive Plant Removal
Group Size: 4-50
Ages: 7+
Time: 2-5 Hours
What to Bring: Please bring water, and wear long sleeves and pants. Work gloves and tools will be provided. If choosing a longer project, consider a snack or light lunch.

Invasive species are non-native plants or animals whose widespread presence and potential for overgrowth threatens natural areas or ecosystems. These species are often introduced to a region by human activity, either intentionally or not, and they may come to dominate certain habitats and wilderness areas.
In Brookline, the most problematic invasive plants in our parks are Japanese knotweed, garlic mustard, and multiflora rose. Considered one of the worst exotic species in the Eastern United States, Japanese knotweed is incredibly resilient and hard to eradicate, and fast-growing colonies crowd out all natural vegetation. Garlic mustard, a European species introduced to North America as a cooking herb, can establish itself as the dominant undergrowth in New England forests, producing chemicals which inhibit growth of other nearby species. Initially brought to the United States as a decorative vine, Asiatic or Oriental bittersweet can quickly encompass large areas and if allowed to grow unchecked, may wrap and encircle trees, killing them over time. Multiflora rose, while beautiful, spreads rapidly and prevents native species from thriving.
These species represent a threat to Brookline’s parks and sanctuaries. As a volunteer for Brookline Parks and Open Space, you will work with a park ranger to help remove and manage invasive species and help protect and preserve our parks for you and other visitors to appreciate and enjoy.
This project will involve using hand tools such as pruners, loppers, rakes and hand saws.