“May young and old alike share the serenity and magical beauty of this place.”
– Sidney Colen
Volunteering at Sholom Park
We encourage you to enjoy your time volunteering at Sholom Park and hope that these guidelines will be of assistance. An online volunteer registration form follows these guidelines at the bottom of the page and may be completed after you have read through these guidelines.
Welcome to Sholom Park
From the moment visitors begin to traverse the winding walkways at Sholom Park, they will sense the aura and special energy that exists here.
Many will become aware of a serenity and clarity in their thinking as they enjoy this beautiful Park. Strolling through the Park’s unusual Labyrinth can become a thoughtful experience. Many visitors are inspired and return again and again.
Sholom Park Mission
The core mission is two-fold. First, to protect and maintain the Park and its native environment as a place of natural beauty. Its plant life, trees and flowers are for the enjoyment of all who enter its confines. Second, visitors may derive feelings of calmness, serenity, reflection, harmony, contentment, joy and inner peace, all helping to make the world a better place.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are a most valued resource of Sholom Park. Friends of Sholom Park may volunteer by:
- Assisting with wedding guest relations
- Distributing Park literature throughout the local community
- Assisting with educational programs at the Park
- Helping to keep the Park litter-free and improving recycling pro-grams
- Volunteering for special Sholom Park hosted events
- Assist in Horticultural Park Maintenance
Sholom Park’s volunteer program begins with reading this guide and completing a Sholom Park volunteer registration form. Volunteers will wear a Sholom Park Volunteer Badge so guests may identify them. All volunteers will foster the Sholom Park spirit with courteousness to all Park visitors at all times.
As a Volunteer, You are Responsible to:
- Promptly report injuries and unsafe health incidents, practices or conditions to Park management.
- Perform tasks in a safe manner.
- Stay hydrated.
- Know your limitations. Do not lift heavier loads than you think are safe for you.
- Keep areas clean; look for potential hazards while doing tasks.
- Become familiar with and follow the safety and health protection procedures applicable to your assignment.
- Contact 911 for emergencies.
Volunteers are asked to familiarize themselves with Sholom Park’s website, which provides additional Park history, Park guidelines, the calendar of events, and much more information.
History Sholom Park
The vision and plan for these 44 acres began in 1994 when Mr. Sidney Colen established the Horticultural Arts & Park Institute, Inc., a charitable foundation. Mr. Colen named the Park in honor of his maternal grandfather. Horticulturalist Steve Curl directed the Park’s design and supervised the construction of the Park’s features. Park management and long-term commitments by its board of directors keep Sholom Park thriving today.
Combining an abundance of native plants with cultivated ornamentals, perennials, and annuals, Sholom Park was designed to thrive in our Central Florida climate. Much of the Park requires little or no watering, beyond that which is provided by nature.
Approximately 2.05 miles of paths are available for visitors to walk or jog through mature oaks, hickories, sweet gums, and long leaf pine trees, linking one trail or feature to the next. Visitors are encouraged to explore all of the Park. Numerous benches are available along pathways for visitors to rest or to sit peacefully for contemplation.
The official opening celebration of Sholom Park was held on October 17, 2004. The grand opening and ribbon cutting were attended by hundreds of friends of Sholom Park, local government, civic leaders and the board of the Foundation.
Safety
It is the Park staff’s intent to set examples for safety practices for all tasks and working conditions. Volunteers will be trained to safely work within their assigned roles. Although every effort will be made to maintain a safe environment, the basic responsibility for health and safety rests with the individual. All volunteers should conduct their tasks in a safe and healthful manner.
Park staff will take all reasonable action to eliminate or minimize exposure to volunteers of conditions that may cause accidental
How the Community Can Help Support Sholom Park
Sholom Park is supported by two means: funding provided by contributions from the public, and through the efforts of individuals in the Park’s volunteer program. No funding is received through tax dollars.
Contribution envelopes are available at the Park kiosk on the south side of the main parking lot and at the Pond Overlook. Contributions should be made payable to: Horticultural Arts & Park Institute, Inc. | 8435 SW 80th St. | Suite 2 | Ocala, FL 34481. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent of the law. The foundation is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c)(3) organization.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFOR-MATION FOR HORTICULTURAL ARTS & PARK INSTITUTE, INC., A FLORIDA-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH19953), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) WITH-IN THE STATE OR BY VISITING ITS WEBSITE AT www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Hours of Operation
Fall/Winter: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Spring/Summer: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., in accordance with Daylight Saving Time changes.
Admission is Free.
Sholom Park is not funded by tax dollars.
Weddings, Photography & Events
Sholom Park is available for weddings and events. Approved permit applications are required for all events, as well as for professional or commercial photography within the Park.