:: City of Watertown, MN

Adopt-A-Park

The Adopt-A-Park Program was created with the objective of beautifying our public spaces, decreasing the effects of vandalism, maintaining the safety of parks and park equipment, increasing community pride and ownership in the park system, educating the public of the environmental, financial, recreational and legal challenges facing the City and to assist the City's maintenance crews with clean-up activities. The City of Watertown Public Works Department acknowledges the fact that this program cannot be successful without dedicated citizens who donate their time in an effort to make a difference in their community. The City encourages individuals and organizations to become involved in the care and maintenance of our City parks. If you or your group would like to be involved with the Adopt-A-Park Program please contact Karyn Islam at 952-955-2689.

Program Information & Policies

The group shall provide one individual as a contact person with the City. Groups and/or individuals will adopt a park area for a minimum of 1 year.

Adopt-A-Park duties shall be completed year-round. Monitoring of the park should be done on a regular basis, usually twice a month during the warm season and as weather permits in the cold season.

Prior authorization must be obtained before any development or maintenance project begins. Each adopting individual or group must sign an Adopt-A-Park agreement as a condition of the adoption. Participants must be physically able to perform general park maintenance and children under age 18 must be properly supervised.

Recycling of all waste material is encouraged. Individuals or groups may keep any and all proceeds from any material of recyclable value that is found.

Duties must be performed during daylight hours only and during appropriate weather conditions. Be aware of your surroundings to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Use caution while handling or collecting items such as litter and debris. Do not crush collected items as broken or jagged objects may cause injury. Do not wear headsets or engage in horseplay or other conduct which could divert your attention from your work or impair your ability to perceive hazards.

If participants are under the age of 18, the adopting group must have written parent / guardian permission on file prior to beginning this program.

Adopt-A-Park General Duties (Participants are encouraged to do more!)

Picking up litter & debris

Sweeping / Dusting

Raking Leaves

Spring & Fall clean up

Weeding

Plant / Water Flowers

Graffiti - notify Public Works Department

Clean out Barbecue Grills as necessary

General Park Observation (broken glass, user behavior, lights, noise and etc.).

Check play equipment for obvious safety concerns

Return spilled sand to designated play areas.

General Equipment Needs

The City of Watertown Public Works Department will provide adopt-a-park groups with garbage bags, safety vests & paint. The adopt-a-park group will provide rakes, shovels, work gloves, eyewear, brooms, rags (as duties require) & a first-aid kit.

If you, or a group you belong to, would like to participate in the Adopt-A-Park program, please fill out the Adopt-A-Park Program Application and fax the completed form back to the City of Watertown at 952-955-2695.