Erika Smith
Recreation Supervisor
[email protected]
Started with GIVE: March 2014
Favorite Park: West
I am very proud to be the leader of the GIVE 365 Volunteer and Outreach program for Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation. I have a master's degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Resources and I am passionate about public spaces and leisure opportunities for all the ways they enrich life! It is a joy to work in this city as the Ann Arbor park system is large, diverse and oh, so special. The GIVE program is rooted in community engagement and volunteerism and we are so fortunate to be in a community that values parks, stewardship and civic involvement. Here at GIVE, we work side by side with our volunteers to improve and enhance our awesome park system.
Meet the team!
Dana
Adopt-a-Park Coordinator [email protected]
Dana is excited to be working with the GIVE 365 Team after many years with the city’s Natural Area Preservation Program. She has a bachelor’s in Environmental Science and has worked in various natural resource related jobs in Ohio, Maryland, Utah, and Idaho before becoming a Michigander in 2005. While she knows many of the city’s natural areas very well, she looks forward to getting to know more of the fabulous neighborhood parks, park adopters, and GIVE volunteers as the Adopt-a-Park Coordinator. Adding beauty to outdoor spaces with plants and other amenities is a lifelong passion for Dana and she feels fortunate to get to do that in her role here at the city!
Started with GIVE: February 2023
Favorite parks: Leslie Woods Nature Area
Ryan
Assistant Volunteer & Marketing Coordinator [email protected]
Ryan leads our Huron River Cleanup program! He also manages our social media, creates designs, does photography, leads workdays, and more! He loves to work on creative projects. Ryan earned a bachelor's in Social Sciences from EMU and a master's in Higher Education from the University of South Carolina. In his free time, he loves seeing live music, being outdoors, hiking, and spending time with friends. Ryan is a VEP Champion, having been to all 162 parks!
Started with GIVE: April 2014
Favorite parks: Black Pond Woods Nature Area, Island Park, West Park
Andy
Playground Technician [email protected]
Andy is a loving father of two highly energetic and eternally curious little girls. Within GIVE 365, he helps to oversee the maintenance of Ann Arbor's 78 city playgrounds by prioritizing parks most in need of volunteer care. Outside of GIVE 365, he visits parks with his daughters, draws comics, strums a banjo, and hikes through the quiet of nature.
Started with GIVE: May 2021
Andy's favorite park: Bird Hills
His daughters' favorite park: Waterworks
Amelia
Gardener [email protected]
Amelia is our resident gardener! At GIVE 365, she works independently and with volunteers in gardens and landscaped areas big and small throughout the parks. In her free time she runs, hikes, bikes, and listens to lots of podcasts and NPR, works on a farm, and - you guessed it- gardens! She is passionate about continued self-education and sustainable land management.
Started with GIVE: May 2021
Favorite park: Hanover Square
Oliver
Crew/Event Team [email protected]
Oliver is working towards earning his bachelor's degree in business from the University of Michigan. At Give 365, he works with volunteers and staff alike to ensure our parks stay maintained, clean, and safe. In his free time, he loves swimming, films, music, and being outside.
Started with GIVE: May 2019
Favorite park: Barton
Dominique
Crew / Event Team [email protected]
Dominique is studying audio engineering and broadcast arts at Washtenaw Community College. At GIVE 365, you may encounter Dominique leading your volunteer workday. He enjoys parks, working outside, and being in nature. In his free time, he loves watching anime, writing music, and bike riding.
Started with GIVE: June 2022
Favorite park: West
Jakob
Crew / Event Team [email protected]
Jakob grew up exploring our parks! When not on the baseball diamond or playing trading card games you can find him wandering nature looking for the next food web to note. He is currently studying environmental science at Washtenaw Community College. You can find Jakob out in the field in parks and at volunteer events.
Started with GIVE: August 2023
Favorite park: Redbud Nature Area
Rachel
Outreach Assistant [email protected]
Rachel is passionate about creating positive changes for our natural environment and society. As an Outreach Assistant, she communicates with both volunteers and GIVE 365 staff to plan and promote events for the community of Ann Arbor. Outside of GIVE 365, Rachel likes being a dog mom, traveling, and reading books. She loves creativity and innovation! Rachel is working on a Master’s of Science in Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Michigan. She earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in English and a minor in Philosophy from the University of Florida.
Started with GIVE: March 2024
Favorite park: West Park
Garret
Bicycle Recreation Volunteer Coordinator [email protected]
Garret works with volunteers to restore, maintain, and enhance Ann Arbor’s bicycle recreation areas, with a special focus on Bandemer Bike Park & Tuebingen Bike Park. He loves dirt and has been building and riding dirt jumps since he was 8 years old. He wears many hats and often a full-face helmet. When not working in the parks, Garret develops education technologies for early learners as well as digital tools to promote civic engagement. He is a dual-degree master's student at the University of Michigan and lives in Ann Arbor with his mycologist spouse and two beloved children.
Started with GIVE: August 2023
Favorite park(s): Bandemer Bike Park, Tuebingen Bike Park (Close 2nd)
