Press Release: 4/16/2026
Healey-Driscoll Administration Encourages Public to Volunteer for 20th Annual Park Serve Day
Registration is Now Open for DCR’s Annual Volunteer Opportunity at Parks Across the State
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
4/15/2026
MEDIA CONTACT
Peter Jasinski, DCR Press Secretary
Phone
Call Peter Jasinski, DCR Press Secretary at 617-762-6847
Online
Email Peter Jasinski, DCR Press Secretary at peter.jasinski@mass.gov
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration is inviting people to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Park Serve Day by signing up for one of 41 volunteer events across the state. Kicking off during Earth Week on April 25 and continuing through June 6, volunteers can help DCR prepare for the spring and summer seasons through restoration, cleanup, planting, and other stewardship projects along DCR coastlines, trails, watersheds, and parklands.
“Twenty years of Park Serve Day means twenty years of residents choosing to show up for the places they love. That says everything about who we are as a state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our parks, beaches and open spaces belong to all of us, and it’s important that we keep them healthy for future generations.”
“As a former mayor, I understand what healthy parks mean for a community. They drive economic activity, they give families a place to gather and they make our cities and towns better places to live,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Park Serve Day is how residents can directly invest in all of that. A few hours of time has a lasting impact on our communities.”
Now in its 20th year, Park Serve Day has grown from a pilot program at six western state parks into one of DCR’s signature initiatives. Last year, more than 2,300 volunteers collected over 500 bags of trash and collectively worked more than 5,000 hours.
“The work that volunteers do on Park Serve Day matters for our natural spaces. Last year, I spent the day helping pull garlic mustard, and by the end, we had filled bags of the invasive species. Standing there looking at what we had cleared, you could already see the difference,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “I encourage everyone to take an active role in these efforts – whether it’s picking up trash or planting native plants, these efforts help preserve and protect our green spaces.”
“For 20 years, volunteers have been essential partners in helping us care for our parks,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “This partnership supports the work of our staff, strengthens our ability to steward these spaces, and helps ensure our public lands remain welcoming, accessible and resilient. I’m grateful for the thousands of volunteers who continue to pick a park, give a day, and make a difference.”
This year’s volunteer opportunities will begin Saturday, April 25, and continue through Saturday, June 6. The majority of volunteer opportunities will be held Saturday, May 2.
Types of volunteer opportunities, as well as the times for each activity, vary by location and date. Participants should visit DCR’s website to learn about volunteer opportunities and register for a Park Serve Day event. DCR encourages volunteers to bring their own work gloves and will have some available for those who don’t. DCR also recommends volunteers wear sturdy shoes and work clothes, and bring water, and snacks sunscreen, and insect repellent.
All parking fees will be waived for volunteers at locations where Park Serve Day events are taking place. DCR asks visitors to park in designated areas only.
DCR is encouraging volunteers to tweet, post, and tag their Park Serve Day photos on social media using @MassDCR.
For more details and to register for an event, please visit the Park Serve Day page on the DCR website.