Volunteer Spotlights
WEEDER
Everyone has their own reason for spending time in Washington Square Park. Maybe it’s your favorite reading spot, your meet-up point with friends, or where you take your dog to play.
But what makes an avid gardener, with access to green space on her building’s roof and backyard, want to stick her hands in the dirt at Washington Square Park?
For WSPC Wednesday Weeder, Linda, it’s the allure of the urban garden and the connection it provides to her community.
“Giving back to your community feels different than just being in your own space. You’re helping to make something beautiful for everyone. And it’s fascinating to learn how a large landscape area like Washington Square Park gets put together and continues to thrive.”
Linda found the Wednesday Weeder volunteer program thanks to another community green-thumb, fellow Weeder Rob. “He knew I liked to garden, and he’s a great ambassador for the program. He talked me into at least learning more.” And she’s glad she did.
At first daunted by the commitment and pressure of gardening in an iconic garden like Washington Square Park, Linda’s worries were quickly dissipated. “The other volunteers and the staff make a great team. We learn from each other and help each other, it’s just a great time. And Gui, the Head Gardener, has so much knowledge, he’s a good resource.”
As a member of a committed WSPC volunteer program, Linda spends at least 6 hours a month getting up close and personal with the flora of the Park. “There’s always something new to do and learn, the Park is always changing and I like feeling like I’m part of that,” says Linda. “It’s a very gratifying feeling to be part of an effort that makes something unique and beautiful.
And the expert tips on what to grow in her own garden never hurt.
GREETER
Everyone has their own reason for spending time in Washington Square Park. Maybe it’s your favorite reading spot, your meet-up point with friends, or where you take your dog to play.
But what makes a twenty-something, with all of New York City’s delights at her disposal, spend her weekend mornings sitting under the shade of a tree, talking to complete strangers?
For WSPC greeter volunteer, M, it actually started at work.
“Well I knew that my company had a corporate match program for volunteer hours donated to different organizations.” That means that for every hour M volunteers, her company provides the organization with a donation. It’s a valuable double-whammy, especially for a community organization like the Conservancy. But it still leaves the question, why the Park?
“I really like Washington Square Park because of all the live performances that go on there. I also like the Park itself. The plantings are really nice and I think the monuments themselves are beautiful. I wanted to give back, even in a small way, and I figured that with the corporate match it would make it more worthwhile. And it gives me a reason to be in the Park.”
M is a member of one of the Conservancy’s committed volunteer programs, meaning she gives at least 6 hours a month as a Greeter in the Park. Although she didn’t have any prior experience running an info booth, she caught on quickly.
“It’s been really interesting to see all the different people in the Park, people from all walks of life, all different demographics. And it’s also so nice to meet other volunteers. And I’ll be honest, it helps that we start at 11:00am! Early morning hours are tough, especially on a weekend, but 11 on a Saturday or a Sunday I can do.”
PHOTOGRAPHY
Everyone has their own reason for spending time in Washington Square Park. Maybe it’s your favorite reading spot, your meet-up point with friends, or where you take your dog to play.
But what makes a science reporter take a break from stem cells and brain research to snap photos in Washington Square Park?
For WSPC photography volunteer Malcolm, it started with family.
“My son, who actually works for the Parks Department, is the one who suggested I look into the program,” says Malcolm. “He knew I was already spending time in the Park and that I’m always looking for new ways to support my photography hobby.”
Malcolm came on board as a photography volunteer in February of 2019, getting in his application just before the deadline. His first exposure to the Conservancy was during his formal orientation and training. “I knew about park conservancies in general, but didn’t know there was one for Washington Square Park. It was good to learn that there are people who are helping to support everything that needs to be done in a Park like that.”
As with all WSPC committed volunteer programs, photography volunteers are asked to put in 6 hours a month taking, editing, and uploading photos. At first, Malcolm was skeptical, unconvinced that he could spend that much time or find that many things to photograph in less than 10 acres. “I discovered pretty quickly that I was wrong,” Malcolm remarks with a chuckle. “I was worried I’d run out of things to take pictures of, but that wasn’t a problem at all. I think it’s because I’m always looking at the people, so the Park is always changing. It’s amazing how many photos there are to take. The lighting changes, the weather changes, the landscape and the people change. You can take a photo one day, but return to the exact same spot the next day and it will be an entirely different shot.”
With the colder weather making it slightly more difficult to get out into the Park, Malcolm is already looking forward to his next season of volunteering. “I’ll definitely be back,” he says, “I’ve had a lot of fun, more than I expected. I feel more connected to the Park, even though I’ve been going there for years. I see it through new eyes, I have new memories there. Being part of the team, in the capacity that I am, has made the Park feel more familiar, more like mine. And it’s been a great way to engage in a hobby that I love.”
WSPC’s volunteer programs are proudly sponsored by:
