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Boise Fire Department
Our contribution to making Boise the most livable city in the country is to become the nation’s premier fire department. Through innovative leadership, we set a standard of excellence for superior prevention and response.
Boise Fire Department serves a population of nearly 220,000 residents in Idaho's largest city. Emergency response services are delivered from 17 fire stations located throughout the city in a 130+ square mile response area.
Ongoing Programs
Caring for Parks
Throughout our history, volunteers have been integral to Boise Parks and Recreation's operations. The skills, knowledge, and expertise volunteers bring to our department allow us to go well beyond our resources, resulting in what we believe to be one of the best parks systems in the country.
We hope that you will take a few minutes to review our list of volunteer opportunities, and find something of interest. We look forward to working in partnership with you to continue providing the high-quality parks and services our community has grown to expect from their parks department.
Community Science Programs
Boise parks are home to all types of wildlife which have a lot to teach us about our natural world. Boise Parks and Recreation works hard to provide safe spaces for our local wildlife to live, which not only includes habitat preservation but also tracking their activity to determine how they are doing. This is partially achieved through a number of citizen science programs that engage Boiseans in collecting scientific data, which is ultimately shared with national science programs. If you love to commune with nature and want to learn more about the natural world, then these programs may be what you're looking for.
On-going Programs
Looking for a longer term commitment? We have a range of opportunities that provide participants the opportunity to regularly contribute to the upkeep of their parks. If you are looking for an on-going activity for your group or simply looking for an opportunity to mingle with other volunteers that share your passion, these are the opportunities for you.
Service Projects
Community Centers
Boise Parks and Recreation operates nine youth Kid City centers in neighborhoods throughout Boise. All of the centers provide free or low-cost programs for children in the 1st - 6th grade, including homework assistance, youth sports, art projects, STEM activities, games and a healthy snack.
Boise Parks and Recreation partners with the Boise and West Ada School Districts to provide space for these enriching programs at Garfield, Grace Jordan, Hillcrest, Jefferson, McMillan, Morley Nelson, Whitney, Whittier and Taft Elementary Schools.
Fort Boise Community Center
Fort Boise Community Center is located at 700 Robbins Rd., Boise, ID 83702. Amenities include a 4,500-square-foot Art Center, two dance studios, a gymnasium, fitness center, locker rooms, showers, and a Teen Activity Center.
Weight/Exercise Rooms has free weights, weight machines, treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers and exercise bikes.
Grace Jordan Community Center
The Grace Jordan Community Center is located at 6411 W. Fairfield Avenue. Boise Parks and Recreation partnered with the Boise School District to open Grace Jordan’s Kid City after school program in 2008. Kid City provides free, or low-cost, programs for children in the 1st-6th grade including homework assistance, youth sports, recreation programming, STEM activities, art projects, games and a healthy snack (provided by the Boise School District).
Morley Nelson Community Center
The Morley Nelson Community Center is located at 7701 W. Northview St., Boise, ID 83704. Boise Parks and Recreation partnered with the Boise School District to open Morley Nelson’s Kid City after school program in 2008. Kid City provides free, or low-cost, programs for children in the 1st-6th grade including homework assistance, youth sports, recreation programming, STEM activities, art projects, gardening activities, games and a healthy snack (provided by the Boise School District).
Satellite After School Centers
After school centers are located at Hawthorne, William Howard Taft, Jefferson and Garfield Elementary Schools.
Whitney Community Center
The Whitney Community Center is located at 1609 S. Owyhee St, Boise ID 83705. Boise Parks and Recreation partnered with the Boise School District to open Whitney’s Kid City after school program in the fall of 2009. Kid City provides free, or low-cost, programs for children in the 1st-6th grade including homework assistance, youth sports, recreation programming, STEM activities, art projects, gardening activities, games and a healthy snack (provided by the Boise School District).
Whittier Community Center
The Whittier Community Center is located at 255 N 29th St, Boise, ID 83704. Boise Parks and Recreation partnered with the Boise School District to open Whittier’s Kid City after school program in the fall of 2019. Kid City provides free, or low-cost, programs for children in the 1st-6th grade including homework assistance, youth sports, recreation programming, STEM activities, art projects, games and a healthy snack (provided by the Boise School District).
Youth Sports Programs
Office of the City Clerk
Boise City Hall
Volunteer positions which are at (or based at) Boise City Hall, 150 N Capitol Boulevard.
Open Space Division
Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Open Space division at the City of Boise. We are committed to ensuring the conservation and protection of Boise's natural heritage as well as educating the next generation of open space participants. Our volunteers are essential to our mission to build a conservation ethic and connect people to Boise's dynamic and diverse natural landscape. Opportunities to get involved with include:
- Open Space Restoration
- Foothills Learning Center
- Boise Urban Garden School
- Ridge to Rivers
Check out volunteer opportunities on this page and sign up. We are so glad you are interested in becoming part of our team, thank you!
Boise Urban Garden School
The Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS) is a specialized, inquiry-based education organization. We strive to provide students with unique learning experiences by utilizing an organic garden setting. Since our founding, we have been dedicated to providing students with knowledge through “real life” experiences, and each year we serve thousands of local youth and families through a variety of educational programs. We know that a student who is able to dig in the soil, plant a seed, and watch it grow will be excited to eat the fruits of their labor, and will better understand the science behind a sprouting seed or the process of photosynthesis.
Open Space
The City of Boise manages over 5000 acres of open space reserves using the best available science. Activities include invasive species management, restoration plantings, fuels reduction, and more.
Ridge to Rivers
The Ridge to Rivers partnership consists of the City of Boise, Ada County, the Bureau of Land Management Four Rivers Field Office, the Boise National Forest and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The Partnership exists under a multi-agency Memorandum of Understanding, with the City of Boise serving as the lead agency.
The WaterShed
Increasing water and climate change awareness and inspiring action by teaching people of all ages how to protect and conserve our precious natural resources for future generations.
We achieve our mission of engaging the community in conversation and action through exhibits, programs and public art.
Climate Action
Interested in being involved with Climate Action volunteer opportunities? We will be hosting one climate action volunteer opportunity a month. By indicated your interest in Climate Action you will receive monthly emails with opportunities to be involved. Example activities include: trash pick ups, invasive plant removal, tree planting and more! No ongoing commitment necessary.
Check the schedule for availability.
