Volunteer Picks

“I think my favorite place in CVNP is the Beaver Marsh. It has to be the best place in the park for observing wildlife. You never know what you might see. Large snapping turtles, wood ducks, Canadian geese or a domestic goose, snakes, birds, a Great Blue Heron a few feet off the boardwalk, many different birds, and if you're there at the right time the beavers of course. Just a great place and there's almost always other people there to share it with you.”

Bernie Charnas

“I love being an actress on programs led by Ranger Pam Machuga such as the Underground Railroad, Ghost Walk, and Young at Heart. Also I enjoy cleaning and inspecting the waysides twice a year because it gets me into all parts of the park and I get to bond with the park rangers.”

Miriam Pendleton

“I love the scenery and sounds of an early bike ride on the Towpath — deer sightings, wild turkey, a groundhog or two.

Birding in the park is really fun, especially around the Beaver Marsh area during duck and warbler migrations. Why? No two days are alike — there are new birds almost every trip, it is easy access, and it attracts other birders — more eyes usually mean more sightings.

Music in the Meadow is a blast! It is free, it is outside in the early evening, you can bring your own picnic, and watching the crowd is almost as fun as hearing the assortment of musical styles. A great, fun, family event.”

Rita Sappenfield

“I love being a volunteer at the Peninsula Depot and seeing the variety of people when the train stops there to drop off visitors. Polar Express is a lot of fun too. I really enjoy seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces. Also, whenever I go biking on the Towpath I always see something new.”

Valerie Simko