Veterans at Monocacy National Battlefield for the Trust's 23rd Annual Park Day
Park Day
Keeping our nation’s heritage preserved & pristine
Join us April 24, 2027, for our annual volunteer event to keep battlefields beautiful.
For 30 years, thousands of volunteers have gathered at battlefields and historic sites across the nation to take part in the Trust’s Park Day clean-up effort. Scouts, Rotarians, Lions Club members, church groups, ROTC units, youth groups, Wounded Warrior groups, and many others have contributed more than 450,000 cumulative hours of labor to projects large and small, keeping our nation’s heritage not only preserved, but also pristine.
What is Park Day?
Each year, thousands of history enthusiasts, community-minded citizens, families, Boy and Girl Scouts, ROTC units, and more come together to help keep our nation’s heritage not only preserved, but pristine. Activities are chosen by each participating site and can include building trails, raking leaves, painting signs, cleaning markers, putting up fences, and contributing to site interpretation.
In addition to the satisfaction that volunteer work brings, participants receive official Park Day swag and may have the chance to hear a local historian describe people and events tied to the site's history. Park Day can also be used to fulfill the service requirements for scout groups, student organizations, training corps programs, and more.
Park Day allows the Trust to cast a spotlight on beloved American landscapes nationwide, and projects keep historic sites and battlefields clean, open, and accessible for the enjoyment of all.
Join us on April 24, 2027, for the 31st annual Park Day. This date coincides with Earth Week and National Volunteer Week, not to mention the Semiquincentennial era. Keep scrolling to learn more and get involved!
Volunteer FAQ
Volunteer FAQ
1. When is Park Day?
The 31st annual Park Day is Saturday, April 24, 2027.
2. Where do I register?
You must directly contact the site at which you wish to volunteer for this information. American Battlefield Trust does not register volunteers.
3. I don’t see the site I’d like to volunteer with listed, what do I do?
We will begin to update our Park Day volunteer opportunities in January 2027 so you can keep up-to-date on local events. If you know of an upcoming Park Day event, we would love to have them register so we can let others know. Please encourage the site to register online when registration opens in November 2026 at Battlefields.org/parkday, or contact us at cgrubbs@battlefields.org for more information.
Park Day is an annual hands-on volunteer event to help historic sites, museums, and battlefields shine their brightest. Individual sites receive support from the Trust— including guidance on promotional tactics, advice on how to secure material donations from local businesses, and thank you gifts for volunteers — but have total control over project details. Popular types of activities include routine grounds keeping, fence and trail maintenance, painting, and more. Learn more about Park Day and how to register online at www.battlefields.org/parkday!
4. Can I bring my family and friends?
Yes, please! Park Day is open to all history and nature enthusiasts, young and old.
5. How do I share about Park Day?
We’d love to see your photos and videos throughout the day and afterward! Please comment, like, and share your experience on your social media channels using #ParkDay2027 and check out our social media for some of our best photos from last year!
6. Is there a rain date for Park Day?
Park Day is a nationwide event, and as such, the weather may vary. Individual sites may have their own rain date and weather policy. Please contact the site at which you would like to volunteer for more information.
Site Manager Information
Site Manager FAQ
1. Is Park Day only for battlefield parks?
Not at all! The goal of Park Day is to provide Americans with an opportunity to lend a helping hand at their community’s historic sites and museums — and hopefully, learn about our country’s history in the process. Though the American Battlefield Trust is focused on preserving America’s Civil War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 battlefields, we welcome all historical parks, homes, museums, forts, cemeteries, and more to join us and host a volunteer event.
2. Do I have to hold my Park Day event on the official date?
One of the strengths of Park Day is the unified date of April 24, 2027, which allows the Trust to focus its promotional work on highlighting the breadth and strength of the historic sites community. Of course, we recognize that inclement weather is always a possibility and suggest you identify a rain date to include in your event listing. Our main date is selected to coincides with Earth Week and National Volunteer Week.
The Trust is also pleased to include your volunteer stewardship events taking place at other times throughout the year on our calendar. For clean-up activities not taking place on Park Day (April 24, 2027), please use this form instead and select "Field Duty" as your event type.
3. How does Park Day benefit my site? Why should I participate?
Park Day has the potential to be an extremely rewarding and productive source of volunteer labor for the maintenance and upkeep of your site, as well as an opportunity to promote your site and its unique history. Take advantage of volunteers’ efforts where your site needs it the most, whether it’s painting, planting trees, trail building, trash pickup, or something else.
4. How do I register?
Simply fill out our registration form! We know that if you register early, event details may still be coming together and can be added to your entry once solidified. Just email us at cgrubbs@battlefields.org to make those adjustments. As the big day approaches, you will receive a further communications from the American Battlefield Trust confirming your registration details, sharing promotion tips, and allowing you to request Park Day incentive gifts for volunteers.
Important registration dates:
- January 29, 2027: Register by this date to be entered for a chance to win a gift card for securing Park Day tools and resources!
- February 19, 2027: Sign-up deadline to make it into the Hallowed Ground magazine.
- March 29, 2027: Registration deadline to be listed in Trust-led national media outreach.
April 24, 2027: Park Day!
Stay tuned for more important deadlines regarding registration!
5. What do I get from the American Battlefield Trust when I register?
The Trust will provide the information you need for organizing and hosting your Park Day event, soliciting volunteers, getting media coverage, etc. You will also receive templates for Volunteer Sign-in, a Site-specific Press Release, and a Letter to Businesses.
You will also gain access to the 2027 Park Day Guide. From advance planning to a day-of checklist, this guide is invaluable.
The Trust will post your site information for volunteers on our site at Battlefields.org/parkday, where it will be available to our 55,000 members and 800,000+ social media followers.
6. How do I recruit Park Day volunteers in my community?
Park Day is all about getting volunteers from the surrounding community to come out and pitch in. You will find there are lots of volunteers in your area, willing to help. Look for them in Civil War Roundtables, local conservation groups, local history groups, reenactment groups, churches, Scout troops, local elementary, middle, and high schools, and colleges. For many school-aged volunteers, it’s a great way to earn volunteer hours! Post on your social media sites. Obtaining media coverage in local newspapers and TV news is a great way to garner volunteers — and gain attention about your site afterward.
7. What kinds of jobs are recommended for Park Day volunteers?
Where do you need help the most? In the past, other sites have used Park Day for activities such as: landscaping, clearing brush, trash removal, erecting or repairing fences, moving, setting up or taking down artillery, installing markers and interpretative signs, tree planting, building and clearing trails, and painting.
Please be as detailed as possible about what your volunteers will be doing, and also please remember to take into account volunteers that may be children or elderly – there should be something for everyone to do!
For additional ideas and inspiration, explore the Park Day Volunteer Project Ideas page, which showcases a wide range of possibilities that can help get your gears turning.
8. Will my site get media coverage?
The Trust will release national and state-level press releases regarding Park Day. We will provide you with information and tips about how to gain other media coverage for your site.
9. Is there a rain date for Park Day?
Park Day is a nation-wide event, and as such, the weather may vary. We encourage individual sites to schedule and/or announce a rain date, as they see fit. The Trust is also happy to include volunteer stewardship work taking place on other dates on our broader events. For clean-up activities not taking place on Park Day (April 24, 2027), please use this form instead and select "Field Duty" as your event type.
10. What happens afterward?
Hopefully, your site will be in tip-top shape for the tourist season! Show it off by sending us your photos, videos, sign-in sheets, and any memorable stories from the day! Wmailto:cgrubbs@battlefields.orge feature many of your photos and stories online and in our award-winning magazine, Hallowed Ground.
11. I took some great photos and was featured in media coverage, how do I share this with the American Battlefield Trust?
Please share your successes on our social media channels with #ParkDay2027.
12. My question wasn't answered here. What do I do?
Don't hesitate to reach out to us! Please get in touch with us at cgrubbs@battlefields.org.
