Santa Barbara aims to reestablish volunteer program at Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The City of Santa Barbara is working on a relaunch its volunteer program at parks in Santa Barbara.

City staff say there’s a high demand for volunteer opportunities including at Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden.

It’s one of the most popular parks in Santa Barbara. 

"It’s been quit a place of solace for me," said park visitor Trane Hulbert.

"They enjoy to look at the wildlife turtles the ducks but also like to enjoy hanging out at the park sunbathing and walking at your sisters a lot of different pathways," said supervisor Ramiro Arroyo of the City of Santa Barbara.

Over the years the city’s volunteer program has thrived until recent changes to staffing. 

"We had good program ... we lost our volunteer coordinator due to retirement. We were in this weird slump where we didn’t have anybody to help us out," said Arroyo.

Due to high demand for volunteer opportunities, the Santa Barbara Parks and Rec Department hopes to re-establish its volunteer program at the park.

"There will opportunities for planting ... if we can get that organized," said Arroyo.

Right now the city is hoping this volunteer opportunity will connect residents to local parks.  

"I like the water because well water and if you don’t consume it be around it or touch it at some point well I just kind of don’t feel good," said Hulbert.

The city hopes to rehome invasive turtles to improve the pond water quality, restore lost plantings, and maintain some of the garden plots. 

For more information on how you can become a volunteer or work as a part-time volunteer coordinator, log onto: https://sbparksandrec.santabarbaraca.gov/.