Open Space and Mountain Parks staff and trustees used the April 9 meeting to recognize the department’s volunteer corps, present 2024 participation metrics and proclaim National Volunteer Week.

Debbie Cushman, the department’s volunteerism and service‑learning program manager, said the program involved ‘‘over 1,600 volunteers’’ who logged ‘‘over 20,000 hours’’ of work on city open space in 2024. Cushman told trustees staff equate that effort to about ‘‘$750,000’’ in value and showed the board a breakdown of volunteer hours by program (one‑day events, trail work, raptor monitoring, bike patrol and other ongoing programs).

Why this matters: volunteers provide a mix of one‑time and ongoing services to the department, from trail maintenance to visitor outreach and wildlife monitoring. Cushman and trustees said volunteer labor both leverages staff capacity and improves public stewardship of open space.

Volunteer highlights and testimony

Staff spotlighted longtime volunteers at the meeting. Mitch Smith, a bike‑patrol volunteer since 2008, has recorded more hours than any other volunteer in OSMP history — ‘‘more than 3,500 hours,’’ Cushman said — and Chuck Anderson was recognized for managing volunteer-hour records and for creating partnerships such as the horse‑ambassador outreach program.

Mitch Smith described typical bike‑patrol work: ‘‘People love it. I help people out really. And I just it’s just part of my nature,’’ he said, and recounted helping a lost runner find his way to a community center one winter evening. Chuck Anderson said ambassador horses draw visitors to outreach tables and ‘‘help share the importance about co‑recreating with horses, bikes, hikers and everyone sharing the trail.’’

Board recognition and proclamation

Newly seated Chair Harmon Zuckerman read a declaration recognizing National Volunteer Week (April 26, 2025) and thanking volunteers for protecting resources and helping the public safely enjoy open space. Trustees and staff encouraged board members to participate in volunteer outings and one‑day projects; staff offered to arrange shadowing opportunities for trustees interested in experiencing programs such as bike patrol, bat and raptor monitoring, and trash‑removal events.

Ending

Cushman invited trustees and the public to upcoming volunteer events and said program leaders will continue to emphasize family‑friendly and service‑learning opportunities. The board asked staff to share additional volunteer dates and to help promote ways trustees and residents can take part.