Photo Credit: Oakland County Parks and Recreation
To save on staff costs and expand programming and special events, Oakland County Parks and Recreation (OCPR) in Southeast Michigan began a volunteer program in 2011. Today, the 13-park system utilizes the talents of more than 700 volunteers.
Last year, 1.8-million guests visited the county parks. With only 65 full-time and 600 seasonal staff, volunteers are invaluable to the success of enhancing existing programs and special events, and developing new offerings.
Under the direction of a full-time volunteer coordinator, the program blossomed. In 2013, volunteers donated a total of 22,872 hours, valued at a savings of $506,391.