Perennial geraniums at Officers Row on Alcatraz Island.

Parks Powered by Volunteers

Alcatraz Historic Gardens

The Alcatraz Gardens Stewardship Program aims to preserve the historic gardens once tended by the island’s military and penitentiary residents.

Learn More

Shelagh Fritz, center, is Program Manager for Alcatraz Historic Gardens at the Parks Conservancy.

Vivien Kim Thorp / Parks Conservancy

Volunteers tending the Alcatraz Historic Gardens

Shelagh Fritz/Parks Conservancy

Alcatraz Historic Gardens

The Alcatraz Gardens Stewardship Program aims to preserve the historic gardens once tended by the island’s military and penitentiary residents. For more than a century, gardens were an important part of everyday life for officers, families, and prisoners confined to Alcatraz by sentence or duty. Many of the plants selected by these unheralded gardeners proved to be excellent choices for the harsh and barren environment, flourishing through the four decades of neglect that followed the prison’s closing.

Gardening

Volunteers

Join Us For A Program!

When: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 am–Noon

Volunteers help care for the restored gardens with activities such as weeding, pruning, composting (award winning!), planting, propagating, and seed collecting. As an added bonus, garden volunteers arrive on Alcatraz before other visitors, so you can experience the island during the most tranquil time of day. Please note, registration is required.

Do you enjoy speaking to people from around the world? Do you enjoy gardens? Do you enjoy sharing history? If yes, come join our team of docents for Alcatraz Gardens!

We are looking for volunteers to share our wonderful gardens with island visitors.

What all is involved? Commit to two shifts each month for at least one year. We host weekly walking garden tours on Fridays and Sundays as well as ‘Ask the Gardener’ casual garden viewing on Wednesdays and Fridays.

For more information on how to get started, contact Shelagh Fritz, Senior Gardens Program Manager, sfritz@parksconservancy.org .

Groups require special arrangements and must be confirmed in advance. Please fill out the Group Project Request Form.

AGE, SKILLS, WHAT TO BRING:

Volunteers ages 15 and up are welcome.
Adult supervision is required for teens 14 and younger. Read our Youth Policy Guidelines (PDF) for youth under the age of 15.
We'll be working rain or shine. Wear clothes that can get dirty. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required. Bring layers for changing weather and rain gear if necessary. Also, bring a personal water bottle and sunscreen.
No experience necessary. Training and tools will be provided. Fulfills community service requirements.

The Golden Gate National Parks Volunteer Program is a cooperative parkwide effort of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the Presidio Trust.

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