Item #08
Date: September 6, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dan Flores, Community Development Director
Jim Schaad, City Manager
Subject: Approve the new Adopt-A-Park Program
Recommendation:
Pass a Motion to discuss and approve the Adopt-A-Park Program.
Rationale for Recommendation:
The City of Marysville is the primary provider of park and open space facilities to the Marysville community. In an effort to enhance the quality and safety of our parks as a core value of a Healthy and Livable Community, the City of Marysville is encouraging the community to assist with the beautification of parks, trails, and green space amenities through an “Adopt-A-Park” program.
Background:
The city has been providing Parks and Recreation services to residents since the 1860’S with a diverse inventory of 20 parks and open spaces. These facilities include neighborhood parks, community parks, regional parks, mini parks (passive parks and urban green space areas), and open space areas. Park land in the city includes 278 acres of improved parks, 5.22 acres of mini parks, and 92 acres of open space. While some of the city's oldest parks date back to the 1860s, all parks require ongoing maintenance and periodic renovation to address normal wear, obsolescence, changes in community recreation preferences, in compliance with new or updated codes. In 2019 the City Council authorized the creation of the Marysville parks and open space master plan. With the engagement of individual residents and community partners the city was able to identify that safety and security improvements at parks, on trails and in open green spaces are the top concerns of the community and are the top priority for the community. At the request of the Marysville Parks & Rec/Cultural Events Committee (Councilman Belza and Councilman Gilcrest) Community Development Staff reviewed several model programs from other agencies to develop an “Adopt-A-Park” program appropriate for the city. This led to the proposal of a comprehensive program, for the City of Marysville, where individuals or organizations interested in participating would coordinate with Community Development and Public Works staff to develop well-defined, mutually beneficial, and safe projects for the enhancement of the quality of our parks.
Discussion & Analysis:
In an effort to enhance the quality of our parks, the City of Marysville encourages the community to assist with the beautification and maintenance of our parks by facilitating the enhancement of park/playground Item #08
amenities and providing general upkeep and repair of equipment, recreation facilities, and trails through an Adopt-A-Park program.
The Adopt-A-Park Program allows groups to assume the responsibility for one or more eligible activities at their adopted park. The benefits of this program include:
•Enhancement of the environment
•Beautification of parks, trails, and green spaces
•Greater public education and awareness of parks, recreation, and community services •Community and/or corporate support of park-related capital improvements Businesses based or operating in the City of Marysville, non-profit groups, families, schools, government entities, or faith-based groups, whose goals and activities shall reflect the City of Marysville’s Core Values and Goals, are eligible to participate in the Adopt-A-Park program. The organization must be free from discrimination based on race, color, creed, nationality, sex, marital status, disability, religion, or political affiliation. Parties currently involved in a lawsuit whose position is averse to the city, and organizations that create a conflict of interest for the city will not be eligible to participate in the Adopt-A-Park program.
Potential Adopt-A-Park Activities
Activities which enhance the quality of the city’s parks and trails may be eligible to be included in the Adopt-A-Park program. Some examples include:
•Reporting of suspicious or illegal activity at park site •Purchasing items, supplies, or landscaping (e.g., benches, tree planting, etc.) •Facility and equipment upkeep and maintenance
•Other improvements as suggested and approved by City staff Types of Potential Projects
The program is divided into three broad participation Tiers:
Tier 1 (Custodial)
•Trash Pickup • Graffiti/Gum Removal • Minor maintenance Tier 2 (Beautification)
• Painting • Landscape Planting • Amenity Donations
Tier 3 Donations
• Donations such as windscreens, bases, nets, dog agility courses, etc. • Capital Improvements
Program Requirements
The City of Marysville Community Services & Public Works Departments will work with the adopting group ("Adopter") to determine the specific park to be adopted and eligible activities or donations. The focus of the program is park maintenance, beautification, and improvement. All projects must be pre- approved by the city prior to any work being undertaken. This approval process includes donations of items, supplies, plants, and labor.
Item #08
The Adopter will sign an indemnify and hold harmless agreement, which is part of the Application to Adopt-A-Park. The term of the Park Adoption will be January-December of each year, unless otherwise agreed. Adopter must request a renewal extension by December 1st of each year for the following year.
If in the sole judgment of the Department, it is found that the Adopter is not meeting the terms and conditions of the agreement, the Department may terminate the agreement and remove Park Adoption signs.
Basic Requirements for Adopting Group
•Adopter leaders must be at least 18 years of age and will be required to attend an orientation led by the Community Services and Public Works Department Staff prior to performing work in the adopted areas
•Cleanup/maintenance will be done by members of the adopting organization •Cleanup/maintenance will be scheduled and performed at the mutual agreement of the Departments and the individuals or organization, for a designated period of time. All work shall be performed during daylight hours
•Minimum service of once a month is recommended. Cleanup may be performed more often it if is determined that the park or facility is in need of additional improvements •Adopted parks will be assigned on a first come, first served basis •Adoption by one organization does not preclude adoption of another area of the same park or donation to the same park from another organization
•Adopters must comply with all safety requirements
Adopter Responsibilities
The Adopter will be responsible for:
•Completing and submitting an application to Adopt-A-Park for approval •Obtaining the required supplies and materials from the department during regular business hours (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.), Monday-Friday
•Keeping track of the number of volunteer hours performed and submitting this information to the Department on a monthly basis
•Insuring youth participants are furnished with adequate adult supervision •Placing filled trash bags near existing trash containers for pick up and disposal by the Department •Returning unused materials and supplies furnished by the Department within one (1) week following clean up, unless other arrangements have been made; and •Notifying the Community Services & Public Works Department of items, equipment, or grounds in need of attention or repair, especially when a safety concern exists.
City Responsibilities
The city will be responsible for:
•Meeting with the Adopter (or its representatives) at the adopted park site at the start of the sponsoring period to discuss cleanup and maintenance priorities and to provide general guidance.
Item #08
•Supplying certain materials and equipment when necessary (e.g., trash bags, paint supplies, flowers, mulch, etc.) NOTE: Adopters are encouraged to provide their own tools when possible • Assisting the Adopter with planting of trees and shrubs and provide technical help when requested
• Supporting the efforts of the Adopter to keep the park clean and well maintained • Working together with the Adopter for the betterment of the park • Erecting a sign with the Adopter's name, acronym and/or logo displayed • Providing volunteer logs and community service letters when requested • Removing filled trash bags from the premises and removing large, heavy, or hazardous items when found in a park
• Following up on necessary repairs as reported by the Adopter A website outlining the details of the City of Marysville Adopt-A-Park program, providing information on each park as well as trails and open space, will be developed. This website, when completed, will be linked to the city's main website. The city will also be able to share the website and Adopt-a-Park information through social media and other forms of marketing.
Alignment with City Council Goal(s):
Goal #5: Support parks & Recreation
Fiscal Analysis:
The only fiscal impact for this program will be for the web domain cost that will not exceed $300 per year out of the existing IT Professional Services budget.
Attachment:
1) Adopt-A-Park Packet