Adopt-A-Park Program

The Elmhurst Park District’s Adopt-A-Park Program is designed to encourage the community to work hands-on to help keep Elmhurst’s parks clean, safe, and attractive through debris pick-up and landscape suggestion. This program offers the opportunity for people to get more involved in their community in a way that promotes civic pride, appreciation and awareness. For more information regarding the Adopt-A-Park Program, contact the Marketing Specialist at (630) 993-8925.

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Adopt-A-Park Time Commitment

Each year, the adoption commitment begins April 1 and concludes December 31. Applications must be received by June 30 in order to get a recognition sign posted in the park you have adopted. Groups may adopt a park after that date. Groups will not receive a sign of recognition until 50 volunteer hours have been recorded. Each group is also required to set up monthly work dates at the beginning of their adoption through the end of the year. It is each Adopted Park’s contact person’s responsibility to organize monthly cleanups and keep track of the group’s total volunteer hours and supplies, which are issued out for each Adopted Park. If your group chooses to work year round with your Adopted Park, please advise the Marketing Specialist so the appropriate arrangements can be made.

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Adopt-A-Park Participation

The Adopt-A-Park Program is open to individuals, youth groups, neighborhood associations, civic groups, religious organizations, service organizations, schools (school groups and teams), businesses and other community organizations throughout the City of Elmhurst.

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What Adopting a Park Involves

When a group adopts a park from the Elmhurst Park District, the organization’s members pick up litter, report vandalism, make recommendations to improve the park’s equipment/tree planting/general maintenance and keep an eye on the park. We ask that you do not edge, cut, prune, or pull any landscaping or trees before speaking with a Park Ambassador or Dave Price, Elmhurst Park District Horticulturist at (630) 993-8900. We ask the Adopted Park’s contact person to inform and enforce the Adopt-A-Park policies and procedures within their groups.

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Adopt-A-Park Adoption Process

Groups that are interested in the Adopt-A-Park program will need to download and submit an Adopt-A-Park Application and an Adopt-A-Park Information Packet for the current season. After application review, a park will be assigned to your group. Your group will be contacted to set up a time to pick up equipment and receive training.

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Adopt-A-Park Benefits

It is a great way for your group to spend quality time together and feel good about what you are doing.
Your organization’s name will be acknowledged on a sign in the designated park or area of the park as well as in Elmhurst Park Districts brochure.
You will benefit from the satisfaction of knowing that you are improving your favorite community park.
It will not only better the parks of Elmhurst, but the Park District as a whole.
It will give groups a chance to have a hands-on role in keeping their park clean and beautiful.

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Adopt-A-Park Guidelines

The parks will be assigned to groups on a first-come, first-served basis to be determined by the Marketing Specialist.
Each group will receive several waiver forms that must be completed on every occasion they are in the parks in order to keep track of volunteers and their hours worked. If waiver forms are not received regularly, the group will be contacted and asked to renew their commitment or let another group adopt their site.
All waiver forms must be returned to the Marketing Specialist at the Wilder Park Administration Office.
Work is to be completed during park hours only (dawn to dusk).
All participants should be over the age of 18 or accompanied by an adult supervisor. (i.e., scout and youth groups accompanied by adult sponsors).
Groups are to commit to work in the parks one day per month and participate on the Spring Cleaning Day on April 24, 2010 (Earth Day weekend), which all Adopt-A-Park participants will be involved in. Park Ambassadors will be available at those times for assistance.
Groups are required to show up on their scheduled monthly dates, but may also show up other times at their leisure. If the group has collected a large amount of trash from a park or needs assistance of any kind, they are to contact the Marketing Specialist.
To receive a sign, your group must complete a total of 50 hours of volunteer time.
Please do not pull any weeds or flowers.
Groups must work for a minimum of 50 hours in 2010.
Appropriate clothing for weather and work gloves (will be provided) should be worn at all times.
If you notice a park patron looking for a recycling bin, you can inform them about the Park District’s new recycling program.
Please ask pet owners to keep their animals on a leash while on Park District property.
Please report any broken or damaged equipment.
All participants are to follow all of the park policies set by the Elmhurst Park District. Failure to do so will result in removal from the program.
Have FUN in the park!

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