Volunteer with us!

Serve your community with your time and talents! The Naperville Park District relies on many different kinds of volunteers throughout the year to make its programs and events successful. If you are looking for an opportunity to get involved in the community, please consider volunteering with us. Volunteering with the Park District is a great way to meet and socialize with others, share your expertise, help fellow community members - and have fun!

Please access our Volunteer Handbook for complete information on our programs.

Naperville Park District Volunteer Handbook

How to Become a Volunteer

Prospective volunteers are required to fill out an online Volunteer Application.

If you are a volunteer coach, please complete an Application and Background Check Authorization form through the Coaches Forms link by following the necessary prompts.

All other prospective volunteers, please follow the three steps below:

  1. Complete the Application that applies to you by clicking the correct box below. The application will open in a new window of your internet browser. Follow the prompts and complete all required fields. 
  2. Click the RED button below to access the Authorization for Background Check (DCFS Form) form. A blank form will open in a new window of your internet browser for you to print, complete, and sign. Electronic signatures are NOT permitted. 
  3. Email Becca, rkrzyszkowski@napervilleparks.org, with a PDF or picture attachment of your completed Authorization for Background Check form and your volunteer selection from below.

Student Application (17 and Under)   Adult Application   Group Application   Background Check Authorization Form

Individual & Small Group Volunteer Opportunities:

Kids' Night Out          

When: Friday's from 5:30 - 9:00 pm

June 16 - July 14 - August 18 - September 15 - October 20 - November 17 - December 15

Where: Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville, IL.

Who: Volunteers must be at least 14 years old to volunteer.

What: Climbing through the tubes, crafts, games are some of the possible activities.  Volunteers will assist with checking in the children and clean up after the event.

Naperville Plays Assistant

When: Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 8:45 am - 12:15pm

Where: Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville, IL 60540

Who: Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and enjoy working with children. 

What: Volunteers will assist with various education stations during the Naperville Plays event. Volunteers will be engaging with children and parents. 

Beach Crew Support

When: Regularly at 8:00 am Monday, Wednesday, Friday for at least 2 hours

Where: Centennial Beach, 500 Jackson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540

Who: Volunteers must be at least 15 years old. Volunteers 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Individuals and groups are welcome!

What: Volunteers will meet regularly to assist park staff by weeding and maintaining landscape beds within and around Centennial Beach. Training will be provided at first few meetings.

Parks Support

When: Regularly from 9:00 am - 11:00 am on Fridays

Where: Sindt Woods and Hunter Woods

Who: Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Knowledge of invasive plants is preferred.

What: Individuals will be trained by experienced volunteers and staff about how to identify invasive species. Volunteers will dig these species up for full removal.  

Group Volunteer Opportunities (5+ individuals) :

Dates, times, and locations of group volunteer activities are flexible and will be decided between the group leader and Park District Staff. 

Tree Ring/Landscape Bed Weeding

When: To be completed before August 1, 2023

Where: Varying parks within Naperville (park will be assigned once a date/time are solidified)

What: Park District staff will provide instruction on proper weeding technique. Volunteers will be provided with the necessary materials including weeding tools, gloves, etc. Volunteers should be able kneel and bend safely. 

Invasive Species Removal

When: Saturday, June 17th from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Where: Varying parks within Naperville 

What: Volunteers will need work gloves and sturdy close toed shoes. Garlic Mustard and Dames Rocket species will be hand pulled along trails and within a given park. Park District staff will be onsite to provide guidance and safety precautions prior to and during the activity.

Park Clean-Up

When: To be completed anytime!

Where: Varying parks within Naperville (park will be assigned once a date/time are solidified)

What: To keep our parks clean, volunteers will pick up garbage throughout our parks and trails. Volunteers will be provided with the necessary materials including trash bags, sanitary gloves and litter pickers. 

Adopt A Park, Adopt a Trail and Adopt a Field

Our adopt programs have been developed by the Naperville Park District to recruit and train residents and business community members who wish to assist in the general care and maintenance of parks and park amenities by selecting a specific location to adopt.


 Adopt A Park Handbook        Adopt A Park Application         Adopt A Park Waivers

Eagle Scout and Gold Award

Scouts interested in Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award should contact Becca Krzyszkowski, rkrzyszkowski@napervilleparks.org or call 630-848-3606, to discuss your ideas for the Naperville Park District. Please be prepared with your initial idea, time frame and interests to discuss.