Parks and Recreation

EXPECTATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL, GROUP OR ORGANIZATION

• Adopt-a-Park participants are expected to sign one-year commitment from January 1st through December 31st with the City of Racine Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department. If acceptable to both parties, the volunteer organization or individual may
  renew the commitment for additional years.
• Once a month volunteers are asked to enter the park and do a walkthrough. The purpose of a walkthrough is to identify damage, vandalism, or other things that need to be addressed by the PRCS Department. A form will be available for you to report what you found during your walkthrough.
• The Volunteer Organization may elect to clean their adopted park on a quarterly, bi monthly, or monthly basis. Please include: Earth Day (April), Arbor Day (April) and Make A-Difference Day (October) as you plan.
• Other projects; such as, planting flowers, adding mulch, maintaining trails, painting, and other maintenance may be completed with prior approval from the City of Racine PRCS Department.
• For volunteer groups that are unable to commit to a yearly contract, one-time events are also available. One-time events are perfect for groups that still want to do their part, but are unable or not interested in officially adopting a park.
• Each volunteer group will designate a group supervisor to be the contact person. The Group Supervisor will complete the Adopt-A-Park agreement and ensure each volunteer signs a waiver of liability-hold harmless agreement before any volunteer work is done and return it to the Adopt-A-Park Coordinator.

GUIDELINES

• Parks are adopted on a first-come, first-serve basis. A list of the adoptable parks is provided within the handbook. If you would like to request an area to adopt that’s not listed, please contact the Adopt-A-Park Coordinator. PRCS office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:55 p.m.
• Any group containing personnel under 18 years of age must have adequate adult supervision. A minimum ration of one adult for each five (5) persons under 18 years of age is required.
• Group supervisor must contact the Adopt-A-Park Coordinator at least two (2) weeks prior to conducting a cleanup.
• All participants are required to read and sign the safety/liability & waiver release.
• Program participants will not be allowed to operate City owned, heavy equipment or specialized tools.
• Group supervisors are responsible for conducting safety briefings for all participants prior to each clean-up event.

SAFETY DO’S

• DO make sure all participants are familiar with the safety recommendations.
• DO assign one volunteer as a safety coordinator who oversees other volunteers to ensure that work is conducted in a safe manner, paying special attention to participating children.
• DO wear clothing which is appropriate for the work associated with the Program, such as long pants, shirts with long sleeves when possible, hard-soled protective shoes preferred, closed toed shoes at minimum, gloves, hats as needed, insect repellent recommended, and plenty of water for all attendees.
• DO dress appropriately for the weather and take breaks on a regular basis.
• DO work only when weather is fair and in the daylight.
• DO be aware of your physical condition and refrain from doing any activities beyond your capabilities.
• DO watch and take precautions for: Snakes, other animals and insects, glass, barbed wire, pipes and debris with sharp or rusted edges, unexpected holes or ditches
• DO be aware of traffic on adjacent roads and driveways.
• DO be aware of other users of the park, pedestrian, or bicyclists that may be in the area.
• DO postpone or stop clean-up immediately if rain, lightning or strong winds are present.
• DO leave dead animals’ onsite and report immediately to PRCS.

SAFETY DON’TS

• DON’T step into a roadway for any reason.
• DON’T pick up litter or debris on a roadway surface, close to the edge of the road or riverbank.
• DON’T park vehicles in “No Parking” areas.
• DON’T play around or do anything to distract passing drivers.
• DON’T bring pets to the cleanup site.
• DON’T leave children or pets in the car while participating in the program.
• DON’T pick up any materials that can be hazardous to your health. Please notify the PRCS
  Department right-way.
• DON’T use or bring your own power tools and motor-driven equipment unless you have been
  preauthorized to do so by the City of Racine PRCS Department.

***These recommendations are not all inclusive. Take all precautions necessary to avoid accidents, including having a least one (1) working cellular telephone onsite and know the emergency numbers. ***

Please complete the enclosed application form and indicate which area your group is interested in adopting. Read carefully the expectations, guidelines and safety tips.