Opportunities From: Heart of Illinois Volunteers

Volunteer: Native Garden Planting Day

Join us for a hands-on planting day at Bicycle Safety Town! Led by one of our volunteers and made possible through a Peoria County Sustainability Grant, we''re excited to create a native plant garden in the park.

Volunteers will help plant a variety of native plants that are important for supporting pollinators, improving soil health, and helping preserve the ecological balance of our region.

Whether you''re an experienced gardener or simply looking to spend some time outdoors while doing something good for our community, this is a great opportunity to learn about native plants, connect with others, and make a lasting impact. After planting, we may also spend some time weeding or helping with general cleanup around the park.

Come get your hands dirty and help us grow something great at Bicycle Safety Town!

Organization: Peoria Park District

Join us for a hands-on planting day at Bicycle Safety Town! Led by one of our volunteers and made possible through a Peoria County Sustainability Grant, we''re excited to create a native plant garden in the park.

Volunteers will help plant a variety of native plants that are important for supporting pollinators, improving soil health, and helping preserve the ecological balance of our region.

Whether you''re an experienced gardener or simply looking to spend some time outdoors while doing something good for our community, this is a great opportunity to learn about native plants, connect with others, and make a lasting impact. After planting, we may also spend some time weeding or helping with general cleanup around the park.

Come get your hands dirty and help us grow something great at Bicycle Safety Town!

Organization: Peoria Park District

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Sep 12, 2026

Zip Code: 61614

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: Tawny Oaks Seed Collecting Work Days

Enjoy the outdoors and come assist staff in the collection of seeds from our prairie. Seeds collected are then used to continue to grow native plants into our landscape.
This is a hands-on task and requires volunteers to be able to bend, carry tools, traverse uneven terrain, and in some cases walk long distances.
Close toed shoes are required, long pants are preferred, but are optional. Please bring a water bottle and work gloves. We will provide work gloves if needed.

Organization: Peoria Park District

Enjoy the outdoors and come assist staff in the collection of seeds from our prairie. Seeds collected are then used to continue to grow native plants into our landscape.
This is a hands-on task and requires volunteers to be able to bend, carry tools, traverse uneven terrain, and in some cases walk long distances.
Close toed shoes are required, long pants are preferred, but are optional. Please bring a water bottle and work gloves. We will provide work gloves if needed.

Organization: Peoria Park District

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61526

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2026 Zootober

Zootober, where Halloween comes alive in the most thrilling way! Each weekend, the Peoria Zoo transforms after dark into a family-friendly fright fest, bursting with glowing lights, spooktastic characters, and hair-raising fun.

Volunteers will assist with kids crafts and games, hand out candy, and help with other event details. Family Friendly costumes are encouraged!


Organization: Peoria Park District

Zootober, where Halloween comes alive in the most thrilling way! Each weekend, the Peoria Zoo transforms after dark into a family-friendly fright fest, bursting with glowing lights, spooktastic characters, and hair-raising fun.

Volunteers will assist with kids crafts and games, hand out candy, and help with other event details. Family Friendly costumes are encouraged!


Organization: Peoria Park District

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61603

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2026 Fright & Delight: A Proctor Halloween Night

Join us for a night of Halloween fun. Volunteers will be assisting with candy stations, games, crafts, pumpkin carving/painting, and other event details. Family friendly costumes are encouraged.

Organization: Peoria Park District

Join us for a night of Halloween fun. Volunteers will be assisting with candy stations, games, crafts, pumpkin carving/painting, and other event details. Family friendly costumes are encouraged.

Organization: Peoria Park District

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Oct 24, 2026

Zip Code: 61605

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2026 Hayrides & Hotdogs

This is a fun Fall event where we roast hotdogs, make S'mores, and take a ride on a hayrack. Volunteers are needed to help Park District staff set-up, clean-up, and help out during the event. This event is at Sommer Farm in the back by the shelter.    

Organization: Peoria Park District

This is a fun Fall event where we roast hotdogs, make S'mores, and take a ride on a hayrack. Volunteers are needed to help Park District staff set-up, clean-up, and help out during the event. This event is at Sommer Farm in the back by the shelter.    

Organization: Peoria Park District

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61528

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2026 Illinois River Sweep

The 2026 River Sweep will be on 9/19 from 9am-12pm. We invite groups, individuals, clubs, and businesses to sign up to be a part of this annual river cleanup! Volunteers are asked to pre-register and will be assigned to a nearby site along the river to clean up trash and make an impact in our community.  Please wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and prepare to get dirty. Please bring a water bottle. Staff will provide gloves and garbage bags.The Illinois River Sweep is supported by the American Water Charitable Foundation's 2026 Water and Environment Grant.

Organization: Peoria Park District

The 2026 River Sweep will be on 9/19 from 9am-12pm. We invite groups, individuals, clubs, and businesses to sign up to be a part of this annual river cleanup! Volunteers are asked to pre-register and will be assigned to a nearby site along the river to clean up trash and make an impact in our community.  Please wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and prepare to get dirty. Please bring a water bottle. Staff will provide gloves and garbage bags.The Illinois River Sweep is supported by the American Water Charitable Foundation's 2026 Water and Environment Grant.

Organization: Peoria Park District

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Sep 19, 2026

Zip Code: 61616

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2026 Donovan Park Restoration Workday

Join these restoration workdays on the 3rd Sunday of every month at 1pm to meet new people, learn about native (and non-native) flora and fauna, have fun, and get some exercise! Tools are provided, but bring work gloves and water and dress appropriately for an outdoor experience. Closed toe shoes and required and long pants are preferred. Meet in the Donovan Park parking lot.For question related to the weather and workday cancellation, please call David Pittman 309-573-2354

Organization: Peoria Park District

Join these restoration workdays on the 3rd Sunday of every month at 1pm to meet new people, learn about native (and non-native) flora and fauna, have fun, and get some exercise! Tools are provided, but bring work gloves and water and dress appropriately for an outdoor experience. Closed toe shoes and required and long pants are preferred. Meet in the Donovan Park parking lot.For question related to the weather and workday cancellation, please call David Pittman 309-573-2354

Organization: Peoria Park District

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61614

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: Forest Park Road Monthly Clean Up Day

We will take advantage of Forest Park Road being closed during the City''s monthly maintenance to help keep the park clean and beautiful!
Volunteers will work alongside Forest Park Nature Center staff to pick up litter along the road, hillsides, and ditches—protecting wildlife and preserving this special space for everyone to enjoy.
Volunteers will meet in the Nature Center lobby.

Organization: Peoria Park District

We will take advantage of Forest Park Road being closed during the City''s monthly maintenance to help keep the park clean and beautiful!
Volunteers will work alongside Forest Park Nature Center staff to pick up litter along the road, hillsides, and ditches—protecting wildlife and preserving this special space for everyone to enjoy.
Volunteers will meet in the Nature Center lobby.

Organization: Peoria Park District

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61614

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2026 Horseshoe Bottoms Restoration Workday

Join these restoration workdays on the 1st Saturday of every month at 9am to meet new people, learn about native (and non-native) flora and fauna, have fun, and get some exercise! Tools are provided, but bring work gloves and water and dress appropriately for an outdoor experience. Closed toe shoes and required and long pants are preferred.  Horseshoe Bottoms: Meet at the West end of St. Mary's Cemetery. Drive all the way to the far back west side. For question related to the weather and workday cancellation, please call David Pittman 309-573-2354

Organization: Peoria Park District

Join these restoration workdays on the 1st Saturday of every month at 9am to meet new people, learn about native (and non-native) flora and fauna, have fun, and get some exercise! Tools are provided, but bring work gloves and water and dress appropriately for an outdoor experience. Closed toe shoes and required and long pants are preferred.  Horseshoe Bottoms: Meet at the West end of St. Mary's Cemetery. Drive all the way to the far back west side. For question related to the weather and workday cancellation, please call David Pittman 309-573-2354

Organization: Peoria Park District

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61604

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2026 Rocky Glen Restoration Workday

Join these restoration workdays on the 1st Sunday of every month at 9am to meet new people, learn about native (and non-native) flora and fauna, have fun, and get some exercise! Bring gloves and water and dress appropriately for an outdoor experience.  For question related to the weather and workday cancellation, please call David Pittman 309-573-2354 Park at the Rocky Glen Parking Lot

Organization: Peoria Park District

Join these restoration workdays on the 1st Sunday of every month at 9am to meet new people, learn about native (and non-native) flora and fauna, have fun, and get some exercise! Bring gloves and water and dress appropriately for an outdoor experience.  For question related to the weather and workday cancellation, please call David Pittman 309-573-2354 Park at the Rocky Glen Parking Lot

Organization: Peoria Park District

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61604

Allow Groups: Yes