Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

Lake Harriet Buckthorn Slaying
2026-05-12 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-14 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-19 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-21 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-26 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-28 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-02 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | 4291 Queen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410, 4291 Queen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55410
Help clear buckthorn around Lake Harriet!
Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9-11am, May-September
Location: West side of Lake Harriet, between West 42nd and West 44th
Supplies: Bring your own water bottle, safety glasses, work gloves, and wear a long sleeve shirt and long pants. We will supply training and tools. If you prefer to bring your own tools (loppers, hand saws, and pruners are permitted) please mark them with your name.
Host: Lake Harriet Environmental Committee
Email Jim Nicholas to get involved jnicholas5329@gmail.com

Peace Garden Volunteering
2026-05-13 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-05-18 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-05-20 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-05-27 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-06-01 09:30 - 11:30 | Lyndale Park Peace Garden, 4124 Roseway Road, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Join the Peacekeepers for staff-led volunteering in the Peace Garden! This fun and friendly group meets twice a week to care for this beloved garden. Activities include planting, weeding, light pruning, and general garden maintenance.
Dates: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30am through October.
Location: Lyndale Park Peace Garden. Meet your host Jacob in the parking lot.
Supplies: Gloves, tools and parking passes will be provided.
Weather: We work in light rain but will suspend or cancel work in severe weather.
Sign-up here

Help out in the JD Rivers' Children's Garden!
2026-05-14 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-19 16:00 - 18:00 | JD Rivers Children’s Garden, 2900 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55405, United States
Help out in the JD Rivers’ Children’s Garden!
Tasks will vary depending on the time of year, but may include: weeding, planting, watering, garden clean-up, soil transportation and more.
Dates: Spring and Fall dates, morning and evening times

Location: JD Rivers’ Children’s Garden. 2900 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, MN. 55405

Parking: Parking is available on the south side of Glenwood Ave and perpendicular streets
Supplies: Gloves and tools will be provided
Weather: We work in light rain but will suspend or cancel work in severe weather
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY – ALL ARE WELCOME!
Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. You will be asked to sign a volunteer waiver upon arrival.
Sign-up here

Hand-broadcast native prairie seed at Orvin "Ole" Olson Park
2026-05-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Ole Olsen Park, 2325 West River Road N, Minneapolis, MN, 55411, United States
Join Friends of the Mississippi River and the Women’s Environmental Network of Minnesota to hand-spread native seed and continue restoring an urban grassland at Ole Olson Park, a riverside gem north of downtown Minneapolis.
No experience is needed, and all tools, supplies and training will be provided. However, registration is required and capacity is limited.
Date: May 14, 6-8 pm
Location: Orvin “Ole” Olson Park. Precise meeting location will be provided after registration.
Supplies: Gloves and tools will be provided.
Weather: We will suspend or cancel the event in severe weather or in the event of unhealthy air quality.
Sign up and learn more here.

Rose Garden Volunteering
2026-05-16 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Lyndale Park/Rose Garden, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Calling all rose lovers! Join the Deadheaders and develop skills while supporting care of the historic rose garden. Each gardening day will focus on a different topic related to the seasonal maintenance of Lyndale Park Rose Garden.
Dates: 1st and 3rd Saturday & select Thursdays, May-October, 9-11am
Location: Lyndale Park Rose Garden
Meet near the Heffelfinger fountain
Supplies: Gloves, tools and parking passes will be provided
Weather: We work in light rain but will suspend or cancel work in severe weather
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY – ALL ARE WELCOME!
Sign-up here

Bde Maka Ska Lake Clean-up
2026-05-16 09:00 - 11:00 | Minneapolis Sailing Center, 3010 E. Bde Maka Ska Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN, 55408
Help Keep Bde Maka Ska Clean!
Dates: Third Saturdays, May-July, 9-11am
Location: Meet at Mpls Sailing Center
Supplies: Trash pickers and bags provided
Host: Green Guardians of Bde Maka Ska
Contact akvaaler@gmail.com to get involved, or just show up!

Buckthorn Work in the Bird Sanctuary
2026-05-16 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-05-30 09:30 - 11:30 | Lyndale Park, 1300 42nd St W, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Join our conservation team of volunteers to cut Buckthorn!
Location: Meet at the Pondview (pumphouse) gate in the south fence along Lake Harriet Parkway, just west of Roseway Road. Parking is available on the parkway.
Supplies: Wear layers, gloves, and eye protection. Bring drinking water and a lopper and/or pruner if you can.
Event hosted by Friends of Roberts Bird Sanctuary
Send questions to contact@friendsofroberts.org
More information here

Pollinator Gardening at Van Cleve Park
2026-05-16 10:00 - 13:00 | Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, United States
Help out in the three Van Cleve Pollinator Gardens! We meet in Van Cleve Park once a month to work on the Accord Garden (10 am), the Poolside Pollinator Garden (11 am), and the Marshall Field Pollinator Patch (Noon).
Dates: 5/16, 6/6, 7/11, 8/1, 9/12
Location: 901 15th Ave SE
Supplies: Tools, gloves, and snacks will be provided
Host: This event is hosted by East Bank Neighborhoods
Learn more
Email: Como-gardens@eastbankmpls.org

Overlook Garden Volunteering
2026-05-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Overlook Garden, 137 E 17th St, Minneapolis, MN, 55403
Garden with us in Stevens Square at the Overlook Garden!
* This event is eligible for the Rent Discount Program. Contact Stevens Square Community Organization for more info.
Dates: Monthly Mondays, 5-7pm, May – October.
Location: The garden is located on 17th Street between Stevens and 2nd Avenue
Supplies: Gloves and tools will be provided
Weather: We work in light rain but will suspend or cancel work in severe weather
NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED – ALL ARE WELCOME!
Sponsors: Stevens Square/Loring Heights Community Organization and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB)
Sign-up Here

Peavey Fountain Gardening
2026-05-19 07:30 - 09:30, 2026-06-02 07:30 - 09:30 | Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Join MPRB staff bright and early at the Peavey Fountain garden! Activities include planting, weeding, light pruning, and general garden maintenance.
Dates: First and third Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 am May-October
Location: Lake of the Isles, Peavey Fountain
Supplies: Gloves, tools and parking passes will be provided
Weather: We work in light rain but will suspend or cancel work in severe weather
Sign-up here.

Habitat Restoration in Theo Wirth
2026-05-19 17:30 - 19:00 | The Trailhead, 1339 Theodore Wirth Parkway, Minneapolis, MN, 55411, United States
Join us to remove invasive species, including buckthorn, in Theodore Wirth Park! Volunteer activities include cutting, pulling, and hauling buckthorn and other invasive species. No experience is necessary. All instructions and equipment will be provided.
Dates: First and third Tuesdays of each month, May through October, 5:30-7:00
Location: Meet in front of the Trailhead
Supplies: Please bring your own work gloves if you have them, long sleeves, close-toed shoes, and a water bottle.
Host: This event is hosted by the Loppet
Learn more and sign-up

Pull Invasive Plants at Nicollet Island Park
2026-05-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Nicollet Island Park, 40 Power St, Minneapolis, MN, 55401, United States
Join Friends of the Mississippi River for an evening of tending the woodland on Nicollet Island.
With the guidance of FMR staff, volunteers will pull invasive garlic mustard and dame’s rocket from the woodland. By removing these plants, volunteers will improve habitat for the native woodland plant and animal species in just a couple of hours, helping to ensure these patches don’t spread. No experience is needed, and all tools, supplies and training will be provided. However, registration is required and capacity is limited.
Date: May 20, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Location: Nicollet Island Park. Precise meeting location will be provided after registration.
Supplies: Gloves and tools will be provided.
Weather: We will work in light rain but will suspend or cancel the event in severe weather or in the event of unhealthy air quality.
Sign up and learn more here.

Loring Park Pond Invasive Plant Pull
2026-05-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Loring Park, Loring Park, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
Thistle & Burdock: Be Gone!
Join us to remove invasive species from the pond and restore its natural beauty!
Dates: Monthly Saturdays, 9am-noon
Location: Loring Park. Meet by the Garden of the Seasons
Supplies: Gloves and tools will be provided
Clothing: Dress to get dirty
Weather: We work in light rain but will suspend or cancel work in severe weather
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY – ALL ARE WELCOME!
Sign-up Here!
This event is sponsored by the Friends of Loring Park and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB).

Remove Garlic Mustard at the River Gorge Sand Flats
2026-05-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Mississippi Gorge Regional Park, 3349 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
Join Friends of the Mississippi River for a morning removing invasive plant species at the Minneapolis River Gorge sand flats in Mississippi Gorge Regional Park.
Working alongside FMR staff, volunteers will remove garlic mustard to make more room for native plant species and to improve wildlife habitat. No experience is needed, and all tools, supplies and training will be provided. However, registration is required and capacity is limited.
Date: May 23, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Location: Mississippi Gorge Regional Park. Precise meeting location will be provided after registration.
Supplies: Gloves and tools will be provided.
Weather: We will work in light rain but will suspend or cancel the event in severe weather or in the event of unhealthy air quality.
Sign up and learn more here.

Neighborhood Creek Restoration: Bloomington to 12th Ave S
2026-05-24 09:00 - 11:00 | E Minnehaha Pkwy & 14th Ave S, 1398 E Minnehaha Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN
Help Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group restore the Minnehaha Creek woods by removing buckthorn, garlic mustard and other invasive plant species and adding native grasses, flowering plants and shrubs.
Dates: Select Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays May-November
Location: Meet at 14th Ave S. and Minnehaha Creek (at the footbridge)
Supplies: Bring your own water bottle, safety glasses, bug spray and gloves (we’ll have basic pairs if needed). We will supply training and other equipment. If you prefer to bring your own tools (loppers, hand saws, and pruners are permitted) please mark them with your name
Host: Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group
Sign up and learn more here!

Father Hennepin Bluff Stewardship
2026-05-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Father Hennepin Bluff Park, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Help restore native habitats and protect the clean waters of this scenic nature sanctuary by the Mississippi River. As a volunteer, you will assist in creating spaces for native plants to thrive, removing invasive species, and cleaning up the shoreline and park slopes near limestone rocks. You’ll have the opportunity to rotate between various stewardship activities throughout the season.
Date: Select Saturdays and Thursdays April-November
Location: Father Hennepin Bluff Park. Clear instructions upon signup.
Supplies: Gloves and tools provided
Host: This event is hosted by East Bank Neighborhoods
Sign up and learn more here.
