Boston Spartans | Emerald Necklace Park Clean Up

Project Description

Join the Boston Spartans on Saturday, May 9th from 10:00am - 12:00pm as we volunteer with the Emerald Necklace Conservancy to perform land stewardship work in Olmsted Park in the Emerald Necklace of Boston. Volunteers assist with a variety of hands-on tasks, including litter cleanups, invasive plant removal, plantings, and other ecological restoration efforts.

IMPORTANT! Registration with the Emerald Necklace Conservancy is also required. We recommend registering as soon as possible to secure your spot, as this service event is open to the public: https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/event/second-saturdays-05-09-26/.

 

What to wear: Closed-toe shoes (required), long pants and tall socks, hat, all-weather clothing 

What to bring: Snack, sunscreen, and a water bottle 

What is provided: All necessary tools, gloves, and instructions

What to expect: Emerald Necklace Conservancy volunteer events are typically 2-3 hours long and involve some type of park maintenance or restoration work such as planting trees or wildflowers, removing trash, controlling erosion, maintaining trails, or managing invasive plants. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about safety and technique, provide you with tools and materials, and help you make a difference in our amazing parks. Expect to have fun, meet people who love the outdoors, and get dirty! 

What about the weather? Projects are rain or shine, but we will cancel in the event of extreme weather. 

Community Partner - Emerald Necklace Conservancy

Emerald Necklace Conservancy Accommodations

• What to wear: Closed-toe shoes (required), long pants and tall socks, hat, all-weather clothing
• Additional registration or documentation required: https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/event/second-saturdays-05-09-26/
  Registration is required in order to participate in this event. Those who register will automatically receive an email with further details, including the necessary waivers to sign and specific information on where to meet and what to expect on the day of the event.

About Emerald Necklace Conservancy

Spanning 1,100 acres, the Emerald Necklace relies on dedicated volunteers to help realize Olmsted’s vision of a thriving, accessible, and beautiful urban park system. And it’s working—thanks to volunteers like you, we made a meaningful impact in 2025! 

Long before “green infrastructure” was even a concept, Boston was leading the way. Designed in the late 19th century by Frederick Law Olmsted, the Emerald Necklace is one of the nation’s earliest and most visionary examples of climate-resilient design—using stone, earth, and plants to absorb stormwater, filter pollutants, and cool the city naturally. Today, cities across the globe are scrambling to replicate what Boston built nearly 150 years ago. 

Volunteer with the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and be part of a legacy that continues to shape the future of our parks. Side by side with our dedicated staff, volunteers help care for these historic parks by restoring habitats, tending trails, and keeping these green spaces welcoming for all. This shared effort makes an incredible difference: without volunteer support, it would be harder to preserve the beauty and health of the Emerald Necklace for future generations.  

Website: https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/