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Adopt a Park or Trail Program
The Adopt a Park or Trail Program is a public service program.
Program Philosophy
To serve as a catalyst in providing an avenue for citizen involvement that will generate civic pride through personal interaction and awareness.
Program Objective
To organize a volunteer effort to clean, beautify, develop and build pride in the parks or trails of New Ulm. This program aims to generate a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for individuals and organizations who participate in assisting with beautification of our city parks and trails. Participants in the Adopt a Park or Trail Program will assist in an effort to improve the appearance and quality of our community and lead toward a cleaner, healthier environment.
Who Can Participate?
The program is open to:
- Businesses
- Families
- Groups
- Individuals
- Religious organizations
- Schools
- Service organizations
- Other community organizations
What Are the Program Benefits?
Participants will volunteer to positively impact the appearance, quality, and safety of our City parks or trails while creating teamwork and the satisfaction of bettering our city as a group. Participant's name/group/business will be acknowledged on an Adopt a Park or Trail sign placed in a designated area and will also be given a Certificate of Adoption.
Program Guidelines & Application
- Entities may apply for parks on a first come, first served basis. Entity leader shall work with the Park and Recreation Director or designee to evaluate size of park, number of volunteers, etc. during application process. Applications are available on a year-round basis and are available at the Recreation Center, located at 122 South Garden Street in New Ulm; you may also view and download the Adopt a Park or Trail Program Application (PDF).
- Each group must have a Point of Contact Leader who will act as the representatives of the organization. The Point of Contact must be 18 years of age or older and is responsible for the following:
- Complete Adopt a Park or Trail application and return to the Recreation Center.
- Have all participants in the organization fill out a waiver of liability or have a parent/guardian co-sign if participant is less than 18 years of age.
- Communicate with Park and Recreation Staff any issues or concerns with the program in a timely manner.
- Complete log sheets of volunteer hours and return them to the Recreation Center in a timely manner, at least annually.
- Request and return any used city owned equipment or material to be used during volunteering in the Adopt a Park or Trail program.
- Adoption term will be open ended with either party (City or group) able to terminate agreement with written notification.
- All volunteers who are participating need to complete a waiver of liability before service. Volunteers who are under the age of eighteen (18) must have a parent/guardian co-sign a waiver of liability form and be supervised by an adult during service.
- Groups must complete a minimum of 25 hours a year but are encouraged to volunteer more time. Groups not fulfilling 25 hours of service a year may forfeit their adoption status.
- Groups will be encouraged to participate in the annual city wide spring clean up which will be announced to all agencies participating in the Adopt a Park or Trail program.
- Recommended service tasks include:
- Picking up Litter/Sticks/Rocks/Debris
- Sweeping
- Raking
- Pulling weeds
- Watering vegetation
- Reporting graffiti, broken equipment, or other unsafe conditions
- Other service tasks are available under supervision/direction of Park and Recreation Director or designee and must be given appropriate approval from the department prior to work beginning. These tasks include
- Painting
- Planting vegetation
- Assisting with playground installation
- Assisting with construction
- Assisting with park events and programs
- Other miscellaneous basic maintenance
- Fundraising for development and maintenance needs
- The Park and Recreation Department may provide supplies and equipment. Unused supplies and Park and Recreation equipment must be returned to the Park and Recreation Department. The use of power tools and ladders are not recommended and the city assumes no liability.
Safety
- Service is to be completed during daylight hours and in good weather conditions.
- Groups are required to supply a first aid kit and have the kit available for any incidents that may occur during service.
- Only approved tasks should be performed during service.
- Utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) and wear protective clothing including work gloves, sturdy shoes and long sleeved shirts and pants to prevent injury from sharp objects, insect stings, sunburn and poison ivy. Light colored clothing is most visible.
- Participants shall stay away from areas where chemicals have recently been applied or other hazardous areas within the service area.
- Groups should use sunscreen and insect repellent when necessary and have water available for volunteers.
- Groups should stay within park boundaries.
- If you are picking up litter, use caution in handling collected items. Do not crush collected items; broken or jagged objects could cause injury. Do not try to pick up heavy, large or hazardous materials. Notify Park and Recreation for pickup of these materials.