Looking for ways to get involved and make a difference in the community? The City of San Luis Obispo is excited to announce a variety outdoor volunteer opportunities in August and they invite you to collaborate with staff and help make it happen. Register at Engage SLO: Volunteer.slocity.org.
Laguna Lake Dog Park Volunteer Ambassador
Calling all community members who enjoy being around canine companions and are looking for ways to give back, get involved and help the City of San Luis Obispo and partners keep the Laguna Lake Dog Park a safe, healthy and inviting space for all. They are looking for dog lovers who can help tidy up the newly opened dog park and to help support events there.
📅 Weekdays & weekends
🔹 Flexible daylight shifts!
Build & Maintain Local Trails + Laguna Lake Bike Park
If you love to be outside, don’t mind mild to strenuous physical tasks and are ready to learn how to build hiking and mountain biking trails or dirt jumps at the Laguna Lake Bike Park, this is the opportunity for you! Gather friends and colleagues, or sign up individually, for some good old-fashioned hard work outdoors. Volunteers contribute their time, talent and physical efforts to assist the Ranger Service Division to build or maintain different trails and to build dirt jumps at the bike park.
📅 Wednesdays
August 6, 13, 20, and 27
🔹 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
📅 Sunday, August 17
🔹 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
📅 Saturday, August 23
🔹 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Whale Rock Reservoir Trail Support
Enjoy the fresh air, amazing vistas and support with building and maintaining hand-built sections of trail and other maintenance projects at Whale Rock Reservoir alongside staff and other volunteers. Help preserve the natural space enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers, fishers and more!
📍 Whale Rock Reservoir in Cayucos
📅 Tuesday, August 19, 2025
🔹9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Parking Services Support Volunteer
Help create a positive parking experience for the community! Sign up to assist drivers in smoothly entering and exiting downtown parking garages as well as support vehicle flow and ensure a smooth experience for visitors. This role is a great option for those with top-notch customer service skills who wish to represent the City in a professional and inviting way.
📍 842 Palm Street Garage
📍 919 Palm Street Garage
📍 871 Marsh Street Garage
📅Thursday & Friday evenings
🔹 5:30 – 9 p.m.
🔹 4 shifts per month for 3 months
Storm Drain Volunteer
Volunteer 30 minutes, once a month, for cleaner waterways and a healthier San Luis Obispo. Storm drains flow directly to local creeks, acting as a conduit for trash and organic pollutants. Adopt-a-Drain asks residents to adopt a storm drain in their neighborhood and keep it clear of leaves, trash and other debris to reduce water pollution and help prevent localized flooding. Sign up online to adopt a drain in your neighborhood.
View all volunteer opportunities on the City’s volunteer portal, Engage SLO, at volunteer.slocity.org.
Why Volunteer?
Did you know that volunteering may improve mental health, increase happiness and even boost physical health? Volunteering is not only a great way to help your community, it can also offer numerous personal benefits. By volunteering, you might gain a sense of purpose, reduce stress and create meaningful connections with others.
-Make a Difference: Your time and effort can have a lasting impact on the community.
-Meet New People: Connect with fellow residents who share your passion for making San Luis Obispo a better place.
-Learn New Skills: Gain valuable experience and knowledge while having fun.
-Enjoy the Outdoors: Many of their volunteer positions are perfect for soaking up the summer sun.
How to Sign Up for Volunteering
Engage SLO is the City’s online volunteer portal that connects passionate community members with meaningful volunteer opportunities to improve the community. Creating an account allows you to easily review and sign up for volunteer roles, manage your volunteer schedule, track hours / contribution and access valuable resources.
How to volunteer with the City:
- Create a free and data-safe account by completing a few questions on Engage SLO, volunteer.slocity.org/user/register.
- Find a service opportunity that matches your availability and interests, click respond to submit your Volunteer Waiver and confirm your Emergency Contact Information.
- Log back in after 24 hours (giving the Volunteer Program time to review/approve the Waiver) and click respond again to add your name to the roster.
- Show up, have fun and log your hours in the volunteer portal once your shift is complete.
If technology isn’t your thing, please contact the City’s Volunteer Program at [email protected] with any questions or for other registration options.