Get Involved

• Volunteer Program: The goal of BPCA’s Volunteer Program is to provide meaningful opportunities for community involvement by working alongside our Parks Operations staff and participating in daily gardening activities. Through this program, volunteers gain hands-on experience and learn fundamental skills related to plant care, soil management, and proper landscape maintenance. Volunteers play an important role in supporting our parks, and over time, develop the knowledge needed to make a valuable contribution to our team.

   

• Program Commitment: There are several ways to get involved in helping maintain the parks of Battery Park City. One option is our Wednesday Volunteer Program, which runs from spring through fall, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We strongly encourage volunteers to participate for the full season, as it allows individuals to build skills over time, develop a deeper understanding of seasonal horticultural practices, and contribute more meaningfully to ongoing projects. Consistent participation also helps support our staff by ensuring continuity in care and maintenance across the parks. Another way to get involved is through one-time volunteer events. These opportunities typically involve a single day of service, with a minimum commitment of approximately three hours, and are a great option for individuals or groups looking to contribute on a more flexible schedule.

   

• Get Involved: If you or your organization are interested in supporting the parks of the Battery Park City Authority through volunteerism, please contact us at info.bpc@bpca.ny.gov. We look forward to connecting with you and exploring ways to work together.

   

• Volunteer Information Agreement & Release (PDF, 2 Pages, 235KB)

BPCA runs an extensive Marine Education Program for the benefit of NYC’s school children and the general public. Each year over 1,000 children, and their teachers visit Battery Park City’s Wagner Park to learn about the ecology of the Hudson River and to actually learn how to fish. BPCA also offers several public fishing events (Go Fish) each year, in spring and fall. In addition to staff, BPCA has Master Angler volunteers to enhance the public’s experience at these events. BPCA’s Master Angler volunteers are avid fisherfolk who also have an interest in sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with the public. Interested anglers should contact BPCA. We prefer to start Master Angler Volunteers in the spring so please try to contact us in February or March. Our staff will then reach out to you for an interview and to discuss your skills, patience and ability to communicate with all kinds of people.

Battery Park City Authority hosts the Liberty Community Garden within West Thames Park.  Since 1987 the Liberty Community gardeners have been active members of the community, giving New Yorkers the opportunity to garden on small plots of land together with other interested people.  Despite several feet of dust and debris as a result of 9/11, and several subsequent moves due to the need to reconstruct the park, the gardeners have continued to be a positive and active member of the larger Battery Park City community. The Liberty Community Garden is completely self-managed and receives no outside funding.  All work within the garden is done by the community gardeners themselves. Potential gardeners have to join the waiting list for plots because there are many more people interested in gardening than available plots.  People get plots on a first come/first serve basis.  Please consider volunteering with our Horticulture Department if you are interested in gardening and cannot get a plot right away. Please Respect the Hard Work Investment on the Part of the Individual Gardeners when Visiting:  

1. Do not pick anything from the garden
2. Do not bring dogs into the garden
3. Do not smoke in the garden

  To be added to the wait list please send your name and contact information to: liberty_community_garden@yahoo.com.