Members of Boy Scout Troop 647 volunteer to clean up the river bank in Gooseberry Park.

RDO employees help clean the banks of the Red River in downtown Moorhead.

Sean Brandenburg
Moorhead Recreation Director

Nancy Edmonds Hanson

Moorhead’s recreation director and his staff have nearly finished hiring the army of 125-plus seasonal workers who’ll keep the fun going all summer long.
But, says Sean Brandenburg, they’re still hoping to add more names to the city’s host of helping hands.
“We’re always looking for groups and individuals to volunteer for our city beautification program,” observes the new parks executive. He replaced former Parks and Recreation director Holly Heitkamp, who retired in December. Her job was divided between his position, which oversees activities and sports, and the Department of Public Works, which now manages upkeep on all city properties.
The city’s corps of outdoor volunteers focuses on keeping Moorhead’s public property spic and span. That includes, Brandenburg says, not only 46 parks – 37 neighborhood, four community and five regional sites – but also streets, ponds, ditches and lift stations. They may also team up with River Keepers, who pick up litter along more than five miles of riverbank.
“Some adopt a specific park, pond or street,” he explains. “Downtown flower beds can also be planted, weeded and winterized by volunteer caretakers.” He notes that trash bags, “pickers” that stab the litter and gloves are available from the parks office, located in the former DMV building at 1300 15th Ave. N.
Volunteers supplement summer staff in Parks and Recreation Department programming as well. Sean’s crew has filled most of the seasonal positions for coaching adaptive soccer, skateboarding camp and flag football. More are still needed, he says, for youth baseball.
“A lot of great folks pitch in every year to clean up our public areas,” Sean notes, “and we’re always looking to add to their number. Do you love to be outdoors? Help keep our parks clean. Are you great with kids? Volunteer to coach. We’ve got something for everyone.
Helpers can volunteer to shepherd their chosen park, street, river trail or flower bed for the entire season, or just as a one-time service project. Information on available areas, opportunities and applications can be found online at www.cityofmoorhead.com/departments/parks-recreation/volunteering. An extensive guide to summer programs has been mailed across the city. It’s posted on the same website.