The Purpose of the Volunteer in the Parks (VIP) program is to provide opportunities for county residents to give their personal time and talents to supplement HPD staff in offering quality programs, maintaining parks for public use, and preserving natural areas.

Volunteers have played a vital role throughout the Hancock Park District’s history and continue to play a vital role in HPD’s mission to develop park lands, provide ongoing improvements, outdoor recreation opportunities and environmental/historical education, and protect our natural resources.

Whether for a student, individual, community group, or business, the HPD has rewarding volunteer opportunities. Hours can be flexible, allowing you to volunteer as much or as little as you desire. Carpenter, plumber, artist, teacher…a creative mind can find a way to help.

Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at Hancock Park District Administrative Office at 1424 East Main Cross Street, Findlay, call 419-425-7275 or e-mail hpdparks@hancockparks.com for additional information.

VIP Applications

VIP Purpose Statement

The Purpose of the Volunteer In the Parks (VIP) program is to offer opportunities for county and area residents to give personal time and talents to supplement HPD staff in providing quality programs, maintaining parks for public use, and preserving natural areas.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Adopt-A-Park
  • Adopt-A-Trail
  • Discovery Center Assistant
  • Environmental Education Assistant
  • Gold Award/Eagle Scout Projects
  • Horticulture Assistant
  • Living History Volunteer (1847 Historic McKinnis Homestead)
  • Maintenance/Operations Volunteer
  • McKinnis Gardener
  • Outdoor Recreation Assistant
  • Special Events
  • Stewardship Assistant

Inventory & Monitoring

Documenting the flora and fauna of Hancock County not only tells us the natural treasures to watch for outdoors, but also helps educate about the changing environment and how best to manage our natural resources from forests to fields or wetlands to wild lands. Various land management procedures are based on scientific knowledge gathered in an on-going Inventory & Monitoring program conducted within the parks and Hancock County by HPD staff and volunteers.

This hands-on, in-the-field approach to monitoring environmental changes and assisting with habitat restoration gives participants a wide range of physical and mental activities in which to participate. If you are interested, please complete our VIP application in the section above.

Bluebird Monitoring (March - October)

Volunteers independently conduct weekly monitoring and record progress of nest building, egg laying, hatching development, and fledging of the birds that utilize these boxes. Sparrows are deterred from nesting, but other species such as tree swallow, tufted titmouse, chickadee, and wren are permitted and monitored along with the bluebirds.

Project FeederWatch

Join the Hancock Park District for two consecutive days, every other week as we count the birds in the feeder area behind the Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center. We keep a record of the birds we see as well as a few weather observations.

Project FeederWatch begins each November and ends the following April. Count days & times vary. Contact the Hancock Park District Administrative office by emailing hpdparks@hancockparks.com or calling 419-425-7275, for additional information.

Visit the Project FeederWatch website.