TO: NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES FROM: Jon Cicirelli
AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: March 24, 2025
Approved Date
4/2/2025
SUBJECT: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the annual report on Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services volunteer management programs, accomplishments, and improvement initiatives.
BACKGROUND
San José, like many cities, faces challenges that exceed available resources.
Fortunately, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) has built an expansive volunteer network that significantly amplifies the City's ability to maintain parks, run recreation programs, and support community engagement.
Volunteers help fill critical gaps in services, ensuring that parks and neighborhoods remain clean, community events are successful, and vulnerable residents receive vital assistance.
PRNS volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year, bringing energy, expertise, and dedication that directly align with the Department’s strategic vision under ActivateSJ, which prioritizes Stewardship, Nature, Equity & Access, Identity, and Public Life. Through their work, volunteers enhance the quality of life by making public spaces more welcoming, recreation programs more engaging, and neighborhoods more connected for a safer, cleaner, and more engaged San José for all.
ANALYSIS
PRNS takes a place-based approach to providing volunteer opportunities. Residents can volunteer within the parks and trails (Parks Division), community centers COMMITTEE AGENDA: 4/10/25
ITEM: (d)1
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 24, 2025
Subject: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
(Recreation Division) and broader neighborhood initiatives (Community Services Division). PRNS has tailored volunteer opportunities, recruitment strategies, and training protocols for these locations. Typical volunteer roles include:
1. Parks and Trails – Volunteers help with park beautification, trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and conservation efforts, ensuring that San José’s green spaces remain clean, safe, and accessible for all.
2. Community Centers – Volunteers support recreation programs, senior activities, special events, and educational opportunities, fostering social connections and enriching the lives of residents.
3. Neighborhoods – Volunteers assist with community clean-ups, advocacy efforts, program outreach, and special projects that strengthen neighborhood identity and promote civic pride.
In 2023-2024, PRNS volunteers contributed nearly 111,000 volunteer hours, with an estimated monetary value of $4.3 million, as summarized in Figure 1 below. Overall, PRNS experienced an increase of more than 40% in volunteer hours and value from 2022-2023. While some programs experienced an increase in PRNS-supported volunteer participation, others showed minimal or no growth due to staffing limitations.
Notably, volunteer engagement grew substantially in 2023-2024 as more community members resumed indoor and clean-up volunteer activities following the pandemic.
However, PRNS has yet to reach pre-pandemic volunteer participation levels.
Figure 1 - Number of Volunteer Hours and Their Value by Division and Program Volunteer Hours & Value* FY 2022-2023 FY 2023-2024
Hours Value* Hours Value*
Senior Nutrition & Special Events 8,903 $332,260 25,739 $993,783 Community Centers 6,589 $245,901 9,034 $348,803
Community Centers Subtotal 15,492 $578,161 34,773 $1,342,586 Neighborhood Litter Program 22,081 $824,063 33,223 $1,282,740 Project Hope 2,765 $103,190 4,689 $181,042
Graffiti Removal 74 $2,762 1,013 $39,112
Neighborhood Initiatives
Subtotal 24,920 $930,015 38,925 $1,502,894
One-Day Events in Parks 16,203 $604,696 13,494 $521,003 Adopt-A-Park 11,281 $421,007 14,228 $549,343
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo 6,316 $235,713 6,699 $258,648
Other Park Facilities and
Programs** 3,270 $122,036 2,604 $100,540
Parks and Trails Subtotal 37,070 $1,383,452 37,025 $ 1,429,535 Department Total 77,482 $2,891,628 110,723 $4,275,015
* The Independent Sector states that one (1) hour of volunteer time in California was valued at $37.32 in 2022 and $38.61 in 2023.1 ** “Other Facilities and Programs” is comprised of Viva CalleSJ (1,662), Community Garden (534) and Family Camp (408) volunteer hours.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 24, 2025
Subject: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
While volunteer contributions are incredibly valuable, as shown in Figure 1, PRNS staff has reached maximum capacity to meet increased demands and managing these efforts. Dedicated volunteer management and coordination staff recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers, but the demand for volunteer engagement outpaces available resources. By investing in the staffing infrastructure needed to maximize volunteer contributions, San José can continue to build a thriving, inclusive, and well-maintained city where staff and volunteers work together to create lasting community benefits.
Volunteering in Community Centers and Programs
The Recreation Division provides essential services that foster community engagement, promote inclusivity, and create safe spaces for San José residents of all ages. These services encompass Therapeutic Recreation, Community Center programming, and Older Adults Services including the Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) at 14 locations — each of which plays a vital role in enhancing quality of life for participants. Volunteers are a critical component of these programs, contributing their time and skills to ensure meaningful and accessible experiences for all.
As the City reemerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, the return to in-person gatherings required a phased approach, with many seniors initially hesitant to reengage in communal activities. In Fiscal Year 2023-2024, Older Adults programming successfully restored volunteer participation, demonstrating a growing enthusiasm for older adults services:
FY 2022-2023: 178 volunteers contributed 8,903 hours to support SNP, programming, and special events such as holiday celebrations and dance socials for Older Adults.
FY 2023-2024: 232 volunteers contributed 25,739 hours, reflecting a substantial increase in engagement as seniors became more comfortable returning to inperson activities.
The Older Adults Services Team remains committed to maintaining rigorous safety protocols and ensuring clear communication with volunteers regarding health and safety measures. Additionally, implementation of the Age-Friendly Action Plan—approved by the City Council in October 2020—continues to maximize volunteer impact within the senior service delivery model.
Beyond Older Adults Services, volunteers play an integral role in supporting community center programs, assisting with youth engagement initiatives, seasonal events such as Spring Fling Egg Hunts, and Therapeutic Recreation Services for individuals with disabilities. Over the past two fiscal years, volunteer participation has continued to grow, reinforcing the importance of these programs:
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 24, 2025
Subject: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
FY 2022-2023: 382 volunteers contributed 6,589 hours across various community center programs.
FY 2023-2024: 442 volunteers contributed 9,034 hours, demonstrating a significant increase in participation.
When combining older adults services and community center activities, total volunteer contributions increased from 15,492 hours in FY 2022-2023 to 34,773 hours in FY 2023-2024. This growth highlights the community’s increasing desire to engage in meaningful volunteer opportunities in community centers. However, the impact of volunteers is not equally spread across the community. Figure 2 illustrates the number of volunteer hours by community center.
Figure 2 - Volunteer Hours by Community Center
Community
Centers
Healthy
Places Index
Percentile
Senior
Nutrition &
Special
Events
Community
Center
Activities
Total
Volunteer
Hours
Alma 5.9 100 200 300
Almaden 99.0 2,669 175 2,844
Bascom 14.2 0 689 689
Berryessa 48.3 8,350 80 8,430
Camden 66.8 2,760 18 2,778
Cypress 52.0 404 2,011 2,415
Evergreen 71.8 1,218 0 1,218
Gardner 67.2 40 0 40
Mayfair 2.3 304 618 922
Northside 32.7 0 2,047 2,047
Roosevelt 12.4 3,815 224 4,039
Seven Trees 14.7 1,215 750 1,965
Southside 36.8 3,150 0 3,150
Willow Glen 96.3 1,482 2,223 3,705
TOTAL
HOURS*
25,739 9,034 34,773
* Total hours include 232 Senior Nutrition & Special Events hours contributed outside a community center. Numbers are rounded.
Community Centers and public facilities remain attractive and sought after sites for potential Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) growth opportunities and large-scale food preparation and distribution purposes, as many Hub Community Centers include industrial size kitchens. PRNS aims to be ready and prepared for potential County expansion consideration, particularly in marginalized neighborhoods illustrated in the Healthy Places Index (HPI). At present, all community centers recruit volunteers for their own sites and add the volunteer oversight as a collateral duty to one of the staff. With additional resources, such as dedicated staffing to manage volunteers at community
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 24, 2025
Subject: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
centers, a more centralized model could be deployed and triage volunteers to where they are most needed.
Volunteering with Neighborhood Initiatives
BeautifySJ
In the Community Services Division, the BeautifySJ Program plays a critical role in addressing urban blight, enhancing public spaces, and engaging residents to create a cleaner, more vibrant San José. Through a range of initiatives—including two annual citywide litter cleanup events, weekly Dumpster Days, recurring monthly neighborhood litter pickups, beautification projects, and single-day service events—volunteers reinforce the principle that every contribution makes a difference. The BeautifySJ Neighborhood Litter Program is entirely volunteer-driven, relying on dedicated community members who coordinate with San José residents and local leaders to organize beautification efforts across the city.
To strengthen its volunteer base, the Neighborhood Litter Program actively engages in outreach at resource fairs, collaborates with the Mayor and Council Offices, presents at community meetings, and utilizes a diverse range of social media platforms. The program also fosters environmental awareness among youth by conducting educational presentations and partnering with school districts to instill a sense of pride and longterm stewardship within students. Additionally, staff conduct multilingual presentations to neighborhood groups, nonprofit organizations, and recreational programs, ensuring broader access to volunteer opportunities and reinforcing the positive impact of community-led beautification efforts.
In FY 2023-2024, the program mobilized 15,501 volunteers who collectively contributed 33,223 service hours, resulting in the removal of 20,151 bags of litter—equivalent to 352.64 tons of trash. While this level of engagement has made a significant impact, limited staff capacity prevents the program from expanding further.
Project Hope
Project Hope is a neighborhood engagement and community organizing program that works to empower residents in nine neighborhoods to become actively engaged in civic life while strengthening neighborhood associations through leadership development.
The program is particularly impactful in historically marginalized communities, where it helps address systemic socio-economic, health, and educational disparities. As neighborhood associations progress through the five-phase Project Hope engagement model, many successfully transition to independent organizations, leading meetings and events while fostering strong relationships with City departments, county agencies, and community-based organizations.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 24, 2025
Subject: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
A prime example of Project Hope’s success is the Hoffman/Via Monte Neighborhood Association, which partnered with the Humane Society of Silicon Valley to bring a mobile pet clinic to the community. This initiative provided free vaccinations, microchip implants, and spay/neuter services, with an estimated value of $8,680 for a single event. Due to the positive impact of this collaboration, the Humane Society plans to extend the service to additional Project Hope neighborhoods in the coming fiscal year.
In FY 2023-2024, Project Hope volunteers contributed 4,689 hours toward event planning and hosting, monthly strategy meetings, neighborhood association meetings, community engagement efforts, and stakeholder meetings. These committed board members work tirelessly to improve their communities, while Project Hope staff focus on recruiting and retaining leaders to achieve the following objectives:
Establishing sustainable, organized groups of neighborhood leaders. Creating safer and cleaner environments.
Educating residents on how to access City services.
Developing strong community partnerships to support ongoing initiatives.
Volunteering in Parks
The Park Division programs - One-Day service events, Adopt-a-Park, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, Viva CalleSJ, Community Gardens and Family Camp - rely on dedicated volunteers to support environmental stewardship, beautification projects, and community engagement initiatives. As the Department continues to prioritize community involvement in park maintenance and enhancement, it is essential to recognize the significant role volunteers play, particularly in historically underserved and lowresourced areas. Volunteer efforts not only contribute to the physical upkeep of parks but also foster a sense of ownership, civic pride, and social cohesion within communities.
One-Day Events in Parks
The Department recognizes the critical role that one-day volunteer events play in supporting the park system, particularly in parks that have received low scores in the most recent annual Park Condition Assessment (PCA). These events provide essential maintenance and enhancement efforts, especially in neighborhoods where access to well-maintained green spaces is vital. The Volunteer Management Unit organized 137 events in FY 2023-2024 that provided individuals and groups with opportunities to engage in specific park stewardship and improvement projects such as planting native gardens. These initiatives are often aligned with holidays, such as Earth Day, or targeted to address specific park needs. Volunteers typically contribute two to three hours of service, witnessing firsthand how small actions can lead to meaningful improvements. Despite the increasing demand for one-day volunteer events, current staff capacity, which is 1.0 Volunteer Coordinator and 0.70 FTE of Part-time Recreation
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 24, 2025
Subject: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
Leader, along with 1.0 Program Manager oversight, limits the ability to expand these efforts further.
In furthering equity goals through volunteerism, the Parks Division utilizes the Healthy Places Index (HPI) percentiles to prioritize the areas that rely heavily on City services.
HPI is comprised of social condition domains such as education, job opportunities, clean air and water, and other indicators that are positively associated with life expectancy at birth. An HPI percentile is a Census tract-level ranking for the City of San José, where a higher percentile indicates healthier community conditions. Currently, one-day events in parks are selected using HPI, and volunteer events are accessible to residents of all ages, cultures, and abilities. The following map shows San José neighborhoods with their corresponding HPI percentile among City Census Tracts.
Map of City neighborhoods with corresponding HPI percentiles Figure 3 illustrates the distribution of one-day volunteer events in parks by HPI percentile for FY 2019-2020 and FY 2023-2024. In FY 2019-2020, only 33 percent of these events occurred in parks with an HPI percentile of 50 or lower. By FY 2023-2024, that figure had risen to 70 percent of events in low HPI communities, a 7 percent increase from the previous fiscal year.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 24, 2025
Subject: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
Figure 3 - Number of Volunteer Events by HPI Percentile Adopt-A-Park
The Adopt-A-Park program offers a long-term commitment to park stewardship, allowing individuals, community groups, neighborhood associations, and "friends of" organizations to take an active role in maintaining and improving parks. Established in 2001, the program requires volunteers to commit to at least one year of service, during which they regularly perform tasks such as litter removal, weeding, and watering, as well as larger improvement projects as needed. To support their efforts, the Volunteer Management Unit provides training, tools, and ongoing guidance.
A key priority of the Adopt-A-Park program is maintaining consistent service standards across all adopted parks. To ensure this, staff emphasize program expectations during orientations, helping prospective adopters fully understand the time and effort required to sustain a park’s upkeep. However, some volunteers inevitably step down throughout the year due to scheduling conflicts or a desire to pass on the responsibility to another group. In FY 2023-2024 the Adopt-A-Park program had 23 adopters who were mostly inactive decide to step down from the program, while 20 new and active adopters were enrolled in the program, resulting in a higher level of engagement across the program.
As of July 2024, 90 of the City’s 215 parks were adopted, consistent with previous years. Figure 4 highlights the percentage of parks adopted by Healthy Places Index (HPI) percentile. In 2023, 28% of parks in communities with an HPI percentile below 50 were adopted. By 2024, that number had increased by 8%, reaching 36%.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 24, 2025
Subject: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
Figure 4 - Percent of Parks Adopted by HPI Percentile
Despite these advancements, the Department recognizes that parks in lower HPI areas remain underrepresented in the Adopt-A-Park program. To address this, staff continue implementing targeted engagement strategies to increase participation in these neighborhoods. However, the program’s ability to grow at an optimal pace and provide enhanced support to adoptees is hindered by staff being frequently redirected to meet broader demands. When looking at the average number of parks adopted by Council District, there is a more consistency across Council Districts with an average of 9 parks adopted. Figure 5 compares the number of parks adopted to the number of parks available (not adopted) by Council District. Some Council Districts, such as Council District 3, have a higher number of parks, which lowers the adoption rate. 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
1-10 10-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70-80 80-90 90-100 Healthy Places Index Percentile
Percent of Parks Adopted by Healthy Places Index
2023 Percent of Parks Adopted 2024 Percent of Parks Adopted
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 24, 2025
Subject: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
Figure 5 - Parks Adopted vs. Available by Council District Strategies to add new individuals and groups into the Adopt-A-Park program include:
1. Targeted Outreach in Low HPI Neighborhoods – Strengthening relationships with community leaders, conducting outreach in multiple languages, distributing tailored mailers and flyers, and collaborating with schools, churches, and community centers to promote volunteer opportunities.
2. Providing Training, Tools, and Resources – Equipping volunteers with the necessary knowledge and materials to ensure their contributions are effective, safe, and sustainable.
3. Community Engagement at Park Ribbon-Cutting Events – Utilizing Park openings and improvement celebrations as opportunities to gauge community interest and promote the Adopt-A-Park program.
4. Soliciting Resident Feedback – Gathering input from community members to refine program offerings and ensure they align with the needs and priorities of residents in lower HPI neighborhoods.
5. Collaborating with City Council Offices – Coordinating efforts with elected officials to enhance outreach, secure additional resources, and strengthen community partnerships.
By implementing these measures, the Department aims to increase park adoptions in underrepresented neighborhoods, ultimately improving community livability and fostering a greater sense of local pride.
1 15
21 10 11
18 17
14 11
7 12
8 7
9 9 9
6 6
8 16
0 5
10 15
20 25
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Number of Parks
Council District
Number of Parks Adopted vs. Available by Council District Available Adopted
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 24, 2025
Subject: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, Viva CalleSJ, Community Gardens, Family Camp Besides One-Day Events in parks and Adopt-A-Park, the Parks Division also engages volunteers at key facilities and in programs. Happy Hollow Park & Zoo benefited from 94 dedicated volunteers who collectively contributed 6,699 service hours in FY 2023-2024.
At Happy Hollow, volunteer contributions range from education and conservation initiatives to direct animal care support. The program is structured to engage individuals of different age groups and skill levels:
ZooTeens (Ages 14–17) – Work closely with education and animal care teams during school breaks or throughout the year, assisting with conservation education and animal handling.
Docents (Ages 18+) – Serve in multiple roles year-round, including presenting Animal Ambassadors, leading educational programs for schools and scout groups, and supporting community events.
Gardening Gurus & Special Event Staff – Maintain landscapes and assist with seasonal celebrations and public programming.
Animal Welfare Engineers – Conduct citizen science studies on animal behavior to support research and welfare improvements.
Volunteer Keeper Aides – Experienced adult volunteers may apply to assist zookeepers in providing daily animal husbandry.
Volunteer Beekeepers – Help manage the park’s apiary, participate in honey collection, and maintain demonstration hives.
Volunteers are also integral to the success of the marquee Viva CalleSJ open streets program, with more than 75 individuals contributing 1,662 hours across three events in 2023-2024. In collaboration with the San José Police Department, volunteers played a crucial role in managing auto-crossing intersections along the route, ensuring that vehicle traffic moves safely and efficiently while maintaining a secure environment for participants. The dedication of volunteers is fundamental to the seamless execution of these large-scale events, reinforcing community engagement and fostering a more active and connected San José. Without these volunteers, additional event staffing would be needed for intersections.
The Department relies heavily on volunteers to act as a garden management team for day-to-day operations at 21 community gardens, who supplement the capacity of one full-time employee. In FY 2023-2024, 45 volunteers contributed 534 hours as a part of the Garden Management teams, however, several gardens currently lack volunteer management. Where there is no volunteer management team at a garden, there is a greater demand on City staff who must then handle daily administrative tasks in the gardens. Depending on issues that arise at the garden, this support amounts to five to ten hours some weeks.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 24, 2025
Subject: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
Finally, volunteers with the Friends of Family Camp contributed 408 hours in FY 2023- 2024, playing a vital role in supporting the maintenance and operations of Family Camp through a variety of essential contributions. Each year, they assist with beautification projects, ensuring that the camp remains a welcoming and well-maintained environment for visitors. Their efforts are particularly instrumental in the seasonal preparation and closure of the camp. At the start of each season, volunteers assist with setting up the camp store, organizing the dining hall, and arranging outdoor furniture to enhance the guest experience. As the season concludes, they contribute to winterizing the facility by securing tents, signage, and camp buildings, as well as conducting a comprehensive inventory of the camp store. Their dedication and hard work significantly enhance the efficiency of camp operations, allowing Family Camp to provide high-quality services and experiences for all participants.
Improving the Volunteer Experience
Department staff collaborate with volunteers to create meaningful and lasting positive impacts in the lives of San José residents. While the Department has achieved significant successes in expanding volunteerism, challenges remain—particularly in standardizing and coordinating volunteer efforts to enhance efficiency and accessibility.
Currently, each Department program operates largely independently in recruiting, training, and recognizing volunteers. While the Volunteer Management Unit Program Manager has established guidelines and standardized procedures for some programs, the lack of centralized coordination limits the ability to streamline efforts and maximize the potential of volunteer engagement. At present, only the Parks Division has dedicated staffing for managing and organizing volunteer programming, whereas in other Divisions it is a collateral duty for staff. The Parks Division has 1.0 Volunteer Coordinator to oversee the one-day events program, 1.0 Volunteer Coordinator to oversee the Adopt-A-Park program and 0.70 FTE of Part-Time Recreation leader to support both programs. With this staffing model, the team was able to mobilize 27,722 hours of volunteer time which has an estimated value of $1.1 million. That equates to an average of 10,660 volunteer hours per FTE with an estimated value of over $400,000 per FTE.
By expanding staff capacity, PRNS could create a more connected and dynamic volunteer system to easily navigate opportunities, build skills across programs, and contribute to multiple initiatives. A well-coordinated volunteer framework would not only improve efficiency but also strengthen community engagement by making it easier for individuals to participate in a variety of impactful projects while stretching already limited City resources.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 24, 2025
Subject: Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Volunteer Management Programs Annual Report
COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Budget Office.
/s/
JON CICIRELLI
Director of Parks, Recreation and
Neighborhood Services
For questions related to parks, please contact Avi Yotam, Deputy Director of Parks, at [email protected].
For questions related to BeautifySJ or Project Hope, please contact Olympia Williams, Deputy Director of Community Services, at [email protected].
For general questions, please contact Andrea Flores Shelton, Assistant Director, at [email protected].