Why Volunteer at Three Rivers
Volunteering is a wonderful way to share your passion and give back to the parks.
Volunteers also receive valuable training, create lasting relationships, meet other park enthusiasts and enjoy plenty of time outdoors!
Importance of Volunteering
Volunteers are vital to the efforts of Three Rivers Park District. On average, 2,000 volunteers dedicate close to 40,000 hours every year to programs and projects throughout the Park District.
Volunteers benefit the Park District in many ways, including assisting with nature and recreation-based programming, patrolling slopes and trails, surveying wildlife, assisting with special events and races, habitat restoration, collecting prairie seeds and more.
Every hour you contribute helps increase the capacity of our organization.
Volunteering Benefits
In addition to supporting Three Rivers, ongoing Park District Volunteers receive the following benefits.
- Volunteer Fun Pass
All active, ongoing volunteers receive a Volunteer Fun Pass, which gives access to many park facilities at reduced rates or for free. The more you more volunteer, the more rewards you're eligible for!
Benefits include:
- Points redeemable for rentals or daily recreation passes
- Program discounts
- Lift ticket discounts for alpine areas
- Golf tour cards
- Campground discounts
- Volunteer Education and Events
Volunteers can also participate in organizational learning opportunities and appreciation events at the locations where they volunteer.
- Volunteer Recognition
As your hours increase, you'll receive recognition or awards as you meet certain milestones.
Learn more about how we recognize volunteers through our Distinguished Volunteer Service Award and our Volunteer Forest programs.
Ready to have an impact on the parks in your community? Learn more about how you can start your volunteer journey with Three Rivers.
Every year, Three Rivers recognizes a select group of volunteers through the Distinguished Volunteer Service Award program.
This program acknowledges outstanding representatives of Three Rivers Park District's dedicated park volunteers.
In addition to recognition at a Board of Commissioner’s ceremony, recipients of the Distinguished Volunteer Service Award are recognized on plaques at facilities around the Park District and at a dinner with the chair of the board and superintendent.
Current & Past Recipients
- Present–2021
2024: Paul Areneson, Michael Davis, Charity Duran, Randy Hartnett, Barclay Kruse, Anthony Pini
2023: Rebecca Campbell, Ann Chemin, Kent Holmes, Karen Leistico, Louise Ogden, Rebecca Pewu
2022: Lauren Fiedor, Bill Lundberg, Lisa McIntire, Kyle Toavs
2021: Campbell Botts, Kate Casserly, John Meier, Bruce Moulton, Jake Schramm, Michael Sweet
- 2020–2001
2020: Sea Blake, Anthony van de Ligt, Wendy Andersen, Cheryl Batson, Sara Anderson, Barb Gaasedelen
2019: Kristi Ball, Mark Basiletti, Bill Brechtel, Grace Butzow, Mason Butzow, Jane Ladky
2018: Nettie Andrews, Wrick Dunning , Eli Hamberger, Jonah Hamberger , Patty Kowal, Kevin McKinney
2017: Cyndy Darby, Dan Fortin, Paul Larson, Linda McDermott, Kale'a Pawlak-Kjolhaug, Hannah Wachtler
2016: Rita Baden, Judy Brusseau, Kim Burke Phillipp, Marshall Erickson, Luke Schaffhausen, Vicki Zierden
2015: Judith Anderson, Kathy Glynn, Adam Holm, Tom Lemay, Addison Mommsen, Lauren Otolski
2014: Deb Endly, Larry Greenstein, Marion Mc Nurlen, Martha Pakan, Amanda van de Ligt, Claire White
2013: Natalie Joscher, Richard Kobussen, Ron Seekamp, Ann Werner, Brenda Williams, Scott Young
2012: Bev Anderson, Betty Magnuson, Sarah Reinke, Jim Rogne, Kathy Smith, Terry Spohn
2011: Teresa Bergdale, Vince Bergdale, Michelle Cook, Mark Lex, Tom McConville, David Tetley
2010: Lynn Barton, Brad Pierson, John Pivec, Mary Pritchett, Charlie Radke
2009: Jim Andrews, Tim Graf, Jessi Henderson, Susie Henderson, Don Myron, Cyndi Olson
2008: Diane Bushyager, Duane Hepokoski, Nancy Hepokoski, Louise Holden, Frank Thomas
2007: Frank Jones, Doug Mason, Mark McDonough, Dan Meyer, Tom Schieber, Mary Vorhes
2006: Bob Dykoski, Arne Frederickson, Sue Hulbert, Julie Jorgenson, Les Kowal, Sylvia Winkleman
2005: Holly Erickson, Carol Klitzke, Randy Lane, Larry Macht, Nancy Porte, Vicki Young
2004: Nance Bingaman, Patty Feeney, Jo Martinson, David Olson, Ron Refsnider
2003: Ginny Gryniewski, Sue Leizinger, Tana Pulles, Jim Scanlon
2002: Barbara Lance Alldaffer, Renee Johnson, Dave Jorgenson, Sue Keeler, Keith Pulles, Lila Werner
2001: Dale Eggert, Vanessa Greene, Jeannine Mogan, Jerry Mortensen, Judy Peterson, VanDell Richardson
- 2000–1989
2000: Bob Eue, Paul Fusco, Ray Johnson, Robbie Kress, Jean Liudahl, Mike Peters
1999: Arden Aanestad, Tom Callaghan, Jim Chandler, Maurice Gale, Sheila Lawrence, Marshall Staples
1998: Cal Dinham, Robert Iverson, Laura Mae Johnson, Deborah Wold Lewis, Lloyd Moen, Bob Nichols
1997: Carol Anderson, Connie Dinham, Ron Johnson, Bill Long, Denny Martin, Ken Paul
1996: Barbara Andersen, Joel Blanchfield, Joel Claus, Roger Everhart, Audrey Friedman, Wayne Olson
1995: Dave Baden, Clara Bleak, Harry Friedman, Joanne Husby, Dee Kanten, Nick Snavely
1994: Sue Gormley, Joanne Magnusson, Candice McElroy, Rosanne Pankonin, Paul Schlick, Linda Zimmerman,
1993: Burton Deane, Cliff Gonyer, Doug Lindberg, Heather McElroy, Ed Rapacz, Louise Smith
1992: Deb Grotenhuis, Tiffany Janiak, Joan Knutson, Jill Michael, C. Perry Schenk, Don Wenner
1991: Judi Janiak, Gene Lau, John Proudfit, Jeanine Refsnider, Jo Ward, Joe White
1990: Don Hardacker, Gunnar Nesse, Mark Newstrom, Chuck Purdham, Jean Segerstrom, Jennifer Ullmer
1989: Tom Crum, Jim Gilbert, Jenny Gooden, Darold Heschke, Roger Johnson, Mike Kiefer
Contact the Volunteer Office
For more information about volunteering, call 763-559-6706 or email Volunteer@ThreeRiversParks.org.
