Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture Department is excited to share NewtonSERVES 2025: May 4, 2025

We are focused on cleaning and improving our parks, school grounds, open space areas, and conservation lands. 

VOLUNTEER for NewtonSERVES!

Volunteer registration opens: March 17

Volunteer registration deadline: May 1

To volunteer click here to register 

A few reminders when volunteering:

• You are registering as a volunteer for a NewtonSERVES project
• To register as a volunteer you must be 18 years of age of older. 
• When an adult is registering on-line, participants under the age of 18 can be listed in the adults registration.
• Volunteers under 18 years of age do not have to register, and MUST be accompanied by a adult
• Each volunteer, including minors, must have a signed Newton Serves Release Form as part of their registration.
• The project leader will reach out to you as we get closer to the event
• On the day of the event:
  • Dress for the weather
  • Bring: gloves, sunscreen, drinking water and hand-tools

PROJECT SITES

Project registration opens: February 3, 2025.

 PROJECT SITE REGISTRATION (half day or full day projects are possible)

PROJECT SITES  Criteria for qualification as a project site:

1) Must be a City of Newton property
    (this includes schools and school grounds, parks, fields, Newton bodies of water, city buildings)

2) Invasive plant pull sites must be a City of Newton property **see note below

PROJECT LEADER ROLE
1) Organize and communicate to volunteers – no walk-in volunteers allowed
2) You will coordinate collection of supplies prior toTBD
PRC staff will be delivering bulk materials (mulch, fibar, loam etc) to the work site Saturday TBD
3)All bags (leaf, trash & invasive) are to be picked up at Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave – On the steps of City Hall - Fountain Side,  between 8:00 am – 9:00 am.
4) The City will provide hand tools, but not wheelbarrows.
Please know we have a limited number of hand tools so please plan on bringing your own tools.

• When checking out of the registration, a list of questions will appear, and you will be required to answer the questions to provide additional details about the project.


• If  you are registering more than one project, List the name of each project in the Project Title Field when checking out.  

Any questions please contact 617-796-1500 parks@newtonma.gov

Work Site Rules:

• DO NOT PARTICIPATE IF YOU ARE SICK OR HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS
• We will supply hand tools: rakes, shovels, etc. (limited supplies please bring your own)
• No wheelbarrows are available
• Wear protective clothing including gloves
• Remove all debris or leave in specified locations

**IMPORTANT NOTE RE: INVASIVE PLANTS:  If you or your group are planning on working on an invasive plant species removal project, please reach out to Ellen Menounos in the Newton Conservation Office for review and approval of the proposed pull BEFORE YOU REGISTER YOUR WORKSITE. Invasive plant material cannot be disposed in dumpsters in Massachusetts, all invasive material disposal must be permitted by the state. Approval granted by the Conservation Office ensures that the material pulled by your group is picked up by City staff and disposed of legally. Ellen Menounos can be reached at emenounos@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1152.

FAQ

How do I register my work site? Go to www.newtonmarec.com and sign in or create an account if you do not already have one. 

How will I be sure I have enough volunteers for my site?  -  We will provide you with NewtonSERVES marketing materials that you can use to push out to the community through social media, neighborhood lists, word of mouth etc.  We will also do our part to spread the word about the event and encourage our community to sign up to volunteer.

How do I sign up to volunteer? Go to www.newtonmarec.com and sign in or create an account if you do not already have one. You'll then be able to choose a pre-registered location looking for volunteers.

Thank you for your volunteer service to our great city!