Park & Pond Stewardship
Depending on the season and the weather, Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens’ monthly and weekly stewardship volunteers will have the opportunity to:
- Work in the lily and lotus ponds (If you’ve never worn waders, here’s your chance!)
- Remove damaging invasive plants
- Clear trash from the marsh, the woods and the banks of the Anacostia River
- Repair and improve walking paths
- Enhance and maintain terrestrial flowerbeds
- Prune trees and shrubs
These activities require the ability to kneel, squat, lift, and perform routine gardening and clean up functions over a period of three hours – sometimes in warm, cold, or rainy weather.
Chances are you will get dirty! We suggest you wear clothing that a little mud won’t hurt. We also highly recommend close-toed shoes and long pants if you plan to work on land, even in summer (there is some poison ivy in the park), and shorts and t-shirt if you want to do pond work (weather/conditions permitting); hats and sunscreen; and a water bottle (filling stations will be available). Please leave all valuables at home or locked in your car.
Saturday Volunteers
Saturday volunteer work events typically take place the last Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m in the spring, summer, and fall. Volunteers can check the calendar here and must register online with EventBrite. Participants should plan to arrive at the park a half-hour before the official start time (usually 9:00 a.m.) to complete the registration process.
No training is needed, gloves/tools are provided, and individuals and groups of any size are welcome. For students seeking opportunities to earn service-learning credits, Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is able to provide or sign documentation of your participation. Each event typically counts as three hours of service.
To learn more or get help registering your group, please contact our Volunteer & Program Manager, Shannah Cumberbatch at shannah@fokag.org.
Saturday Team Leaders
Saturday Team Leaders volunteer at least three times a year to lead teams to volunteers during the monthly Saturday events. Team leaders receive training on group leadership, specific park projects, and gain a great way to meet others. We encourage you to get involved and take on a much-valued leadership position at the park.
To learn more, please contact our Volunteer & Program Manager, Shannah Cumberbatch at shannah@fokag.org.
Kenilworth Work Crew
Kenilworth Work Crew members volunteer at least twice a month during the spring, summer, and fall to work on the continuous improvement of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Volunteers will receive training and instruction from the park’s grounds and maintenance supervisor. Projects include gardening the flower beds, maintaining and repairing trails, restoring ponds, and tending to water lilies. Seasonal projects may also include watering newly planted trees, counting goose eggs, and more.
To learn more, please contact our Volunteer & Program Manager, Shannah Cumberbatch at shannah@fokag.org.
Greenhouse Gardeners
Greenhouse Gardeners volunteer every other month on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and help with the propagation and care of aquatic plants in the greenhouse. Volunteers will receive training and instruction from the park’s grounds and maintenance supervisor.
To learn more, please contact our Volunteer & Program Manager, Shannah Cumberbatch at shannah@fokag.org.