Historic Yates Mill County Park couldn’t operate without the gracious assistance of many members of the public and organizations that volunteer. Learn more about volunteer opportunities below.
Become a Volunteer!
How to Apply
Yates Mill served Wake County as a water-powered mill for more than 200 years. Of the 70 gristmills that once served Wake County, volunteers "keep the wheels turning" at Historic Yates Mill County Park! Last year, volunteers generously donated more than 1,300 hours of their time to the park. We certainly could not provide the well-received programs, events and other services that we do without their help!
Volunteers have assisted mainly in the following areas: mill interpretation during guided tours, corn-grinding demonstrations, selling cornmeal, cooking products made with Yates Mill cornmeal, conducting historical research, making historically accurate period clothing, storytelling, helping with nature programs, maintaining and constructing trails, teaching craft-making, and participating in the Big Sweep cleanup, among other activities.
Interested in volunteering at Historic Yates Mill County Park?
To learn more about becoming a Yates Mill park volunteer, please contact the park at 919-856-6675 or email yatesmill@wake.gov.
To apply, first download and complete the park's Volunteer Application. Please also download and complete Wake County's Volunteer Release Form.
Volunteer of the Year
Congratulations to Gene M., Historic Yates Mill’s 2022 Volunteer of the Year! A retired paleobotanist, Gene gave more than 200 hours to the park in 2022, working to identify and remove invasive plants such as Autumn Olive, Russian Olive, and Chinese Privet from the park. These plants outcompete native plants, having a negative impact on biodiversity and reducing the food supply for wildlife. Gene volunteers almost every day in this ongoing, years-long project to remove invasive plants, and park staff are so grateful to her and to all park volunteers who give so generously of their time to improve the park.
Thank you, Gene!
Upcoming Volunteer Activities
Garden & Trail Workdays
To be scheduled as needed; please call for details.
We could use your help preparing the park's gardens and plant beds for spring growth and assisting with the upkeep and enhancement of our wildflower demonstration plots and naturally surfaced hiking trails. We hope you will consider volunteering in this way, which helps to beautify the park and educate the public. For ages 16 & up.
Program Assistants & Tour Guides
Help to interpret Yates Mill’s ecology and history!
Might you enjoy teaching education programs and/or leading guided mill tours, and maybe even getting to dress in historic costumes? We can always use assistance for the park’s programs and would love to hear how you best think you can contribute to the park’s programming efforts.
Training for New Volunteer Mill Tour Interpreters is being scheduled on an as-needed basis.
Greeters for Visitor Center
Help to make the park a friendly place for everyone!
Do you have a friendly nature and like being around people? We could use some help covering the visitor center reception desk, by providing basic park information to visitors and answering the phone, especially on weekends.
Training for Reception Desk Volunteers is being scheduled on an as-needed basis.
Gardeners & Garden Clubs
Help to make Yates Mill more environmentally friendly!
Would you be willing to put your green thumb to good use by helping to care for some of the park’s plant beds? With your help, park staff can reduce the use of herbicides, and we can work together to keep the park looking good!