Friends of the Park

Every Park Needs Its People

Friends of the Park groups bring neighbors together around a shared park and serve as the starting point for accessing many of Park Pride’s programs and resources. Find your local group or learn how to start one.

Find your local park group

How It Works

Where Community-Led Park Work Begins

Friends of the Park groups are made up of people who care about a shared park and want to play an active role in its future. Groups bring neighbors together to care for their park, champion improvements, organize activities and help shape priorities that reflect their community. Registering with Park Pride connects your group to tools, expertise and opportunities that can help you take the next step—from funding and design support to leadership development, volunteer resources and more.

Park Pride Resources

Support for What Comes Next

As your group’s goals evolve, Park Pride offers programs and resources to help you keep moving forward.

Explore all programs

Resources & Learning

Connect with other Friends groups and access workshops, tools and resources that can strengthen your group and its work.

Explore resources

Volunteer Support

Get resources and support to help organize volunteer opportunities that care for and improve your park.

Volunteer Program

Park Stewardship Academy

Build practical skills and connections that can help you become a stronger park leader and advocate.

Park Stewardship Academy

Park Design Studio

Access professional planning and design support to help your community shape a shared direction for its park.

Park Design Studio

Park Pride Grants

Explore funding opportunities that help Friends of the Park groups move community-supported improvements forward.

Park Pride Grants

Fiscal Sponsorship

Eligible groups can raise tax-deductible funds for park improvements with Park Pride serving as their fiscal sponsor.

Fiscal Sponsorship

What our park friends say

“Our Friends group has turned into a real community — we look out for each other and for this park.”

A Friends of the Park member Southwest Atlanta

“Registering with Park Pride opened doors we didn’t know existed, from grant funding to design help.”

A Friends of the Park leader DeKalb County

“What started as a cleanup day grew into a group that shapes real decisions about our park’s future.”

A Friends of the Park member Brookhaven

Inspiration Awards

Celebrating the People Who Power Parks

Each year at the Parks & Greenspace Conference, Park Pride recognizes local park champions whose leadership, commitment and impact strengthen the connection between parks and communities.

Learn more about the awards