Adopt a Park Guidelines

Would you like to spend a few enjoyable hours picking up litter and recyclables to help keep Salisbury parks beautiful? The Adopt-A-Park Program gives volunteers the opportunity to show environmental concern and community pride by “adopting” parks within City limits. To combat the amount of trash littered each day, the program promotes civic pride, environmental responsibility, preserves habitats, improves safety and saves money!

A rewarding opportunity to:

  • Collect unsightly litter and recyclables
  • Help protect local waterways by reducing debris that washes into the Chesapeake Bay and the many other beautiful historic waterways that shape our region
  • Raise community awareness of the importance of a clean and safe environment

To recognize each adopter, the City provides a sign that designates the park and displays the name of the group. Signs highlight the volunteer commitment while letting others know that your organization cares about the appearance of our community. Demonstrate your community pride and make a positive statement for a clean and attractive community!

Safety First! Volunteer safety is the top priority. The City provides:

  • Safety vests and disposable work gloves
  • Trash bags for litter collection

Groups are encouraged to post bright warning signs during clean-up activities, and all participants must follow traffic laws and safety guidelines when applicable.

 

City of Salisbury Adopt-A-Park Program Parameter and Requirements

Purpose: The purpose of the City of Salisbury Adopt-A-Park Program is to register volunteer groups to pick-up litter in city parks. Also, to recognize them for their efforts to improve the appearance of the community and decrease the amount of debris that washes into the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The program is not intended as a means for providing a public forum for adopters to use in promoting name recognition or political causes. The City reserves the right to limit the number of adoptions by a single adopter, and to restrict the language used on signs designating the adopted parks.

Who May Participate?

  • Eligible adopters include civic and non-profit organizations, school groups, commercial and private enterprises, and families.
  • Written parental or guardian permission is required for all participants under 18 years of age. Team members under the age of 16, must be supervised by adults (at least one adult for every five participants under 16 years of age).
  • Local chapters of national organizations must provide a written statement, from the national organization, which authorizes the local group to use the name proposed for the sign and which identifies the individual(s) from the local chapter authorized to enter into agreements on behalf of the local organization.

 

What is required of the Adopter?

  • Have an approved application on file and sign an Adopt-A-Park Program agreement with the City.
  • Pick up litter and recyclables from adopted park at least four times per year.
  • The adoption shall be for a period of one year, with renewal for another year term upon mutual consent.
  • Observe all traffic laws and regulations when applicable.
  • Confine clean-up activity to the park only, making certain that participants do not trespass onto private property.
  • The adopter is responsible for replacing required safety vests, safety signs and any other items provided by the City, if they are lost or damaged.
  • Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all times.
  • Designate one member to be the Adopt-A-Park Coordinator. This person will be the point of contact between their group and the City, and is responsible for ensuring that the adopter, and its participants adhere to all provisions contained in the agreement, this policy statement, and the safety requirements outlined either in writing or orally by City representatives.

The Adopt-A-Park Coordinator must:

  • Ensure that before participating in any Adopt-A-Park clean-up executes the written volunteer waiver provided. Such waiver releases the City of Salisbury, their officials, employees, contractors, and agents from any liability whatsoever arising from the volunteer’s participation in the Adopt-A-Park Program.
  • In the case of a minor, such release shall also be executed by a parent or guardian.
  • Participation in the program shall constitute a waiver of any claim or cause of action of liability against The City of Salisbury and the entities named above.
  • Be present at all park clean-up activity, whenever practicable.
  • If the Adopt-A-Park Coordinator is not present, an adult group member must assume and discharge ALL of the Adopt-A-Park Coordinator’s responsibilities.
  • Complete the provided clean-up report after each activity and submit it to the City designated Adopt-A-Park Program manager.
  • In the event of an incident or injury to any person relating to participation in the Adopt-A-Park Program, notify the Department of Field Operations at 410-548-3177. When appropriate, call 9-1-1 first.

The City of Salisbury will provide:

  • Following the completion of the adopting group’s initial event, the City will install a sign with the adopter’s name, designating the adopted park.
  • Safety information and safety vests.
  • Trash bags.
  • Replacement signs as necessary due to normal wear and tear, and accidental damage. The City will replace, at its cost, up to two signs per adopter IF signs are stolen, defaced, or damaged by causes other than normal wear and tear. The removal of defaced or damaged signs will be at the sole discretion of the Director of Field Operations or whomever is designated in their absence.

Sign Specifications:

  • These signs are intended to identify and recognize adopters, and to promote the Adopt-A-Parks Program, not to be an advertising or political forum. Therefore: The City will have sole discretion regarding the size, color, design, text and placement of Adopt-A-Parks signs.
  • Only the actual name of the adopter will be included on the signs. No business logos, slogans, telephone numbers, addresses, titles of elective office, or statements will be permitted.
  • Exceptions will be made for in MEMORIAM statements using the following language: “(adopter name) in memory of (name of deceased)”.
  • The signs shall not contain wording which, in the sole judgment of the Director of Field Operations or whomever is designated in their absence is insulting or derogatory; is a term of bigotry or hostility; is racially or ethnically degrading; refers to sexual acts; is a profane, obscene or repulsive term; or appears to promote the use of illegal substances.
  • If during the term of the agreement, it is determined that the adopter is not meeting the conditions of the agreement, The City reserves the right to terminate the agreement and remove the signs.
  • Any decisions made by The City in implementing, administering and, if appropriate, terminating any agreement under the Adopt-A-Park Program, shall be final and not subject to appeal.
  • If no program activity has occurred within six months of the posting of the signs, the City will terminate the agreement and remove the signs.
Adopt-A-Park MOU

Adopt-A-Park

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  • If you do not see your preferred cleanup location in the options below, please enter it in the field labeled 'other'
  • Under no circumstances should the licensee and/or group make any alterations, install equipment, or make attempts to maintain areas except for trash cleanup. All trash must be properly bagged and left in the location agreed upon with the City. The City reserves the right to refuse or cancel this agreement for any reasonable cause. Every attempt will be given to provide the organization adequate notice of cancellation. WAIVER: The licensee and/or group agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City, its officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all claims, demands, causes of action, and liability of any kind for, and by reason of any act or omission of said licensee and/or group. Additionally, the licensee further accepts the rental area “AS IS” and releases, discharges and waives the City from any and all rights of action, either legal or equitable, which he has or ever may have against the City by reason of use of the said rental area, excepting only any such injury or damage resulting from the willful acts of the City.I am familiar with and agree to all policies which regulate the use of the rental area and have made the participating members of our group familiar with the same. I accept responsibility on behalf of the group for the activity described in this agreement. I understand that checking this box constitutes a legal signature confirming that I acknowledge and agree to the above Terms of Acceptance.