Adopt a Park Guidelines

The Adopt-A-Park Program allows volunteers to adopt a City park, collect litter, protect local waterways, and demonstrate community pride.

A rewarding opportunity to:

  • Collect litter and recyclables
  • Help protect the Chesapeake Bay and local waterways
  • Promote a cleaner, safer community
  • Raise awareness of environmental stewardship

To recognize each adopter, the City installs a sign displaying the group’s name at the adopted park.

Safety First!

Volunteer safety is our top priority. The City provides:

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

Participants must follow all applicable safety guidelines and traffic laws.

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

Purpose: The Adopt-A-Park Program registers volunteer groups to collect litter in City parks while recognizing their efforts to improve the community and reduce debris entering the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The program is not intended for advertising or political messaging. The City reserves the right to limit adoptions and approve all sign language.

Who May Participate?

  • Participants under 18 require written parental or guardian permission.
  • Participants under 16 must be supervised by adults (at least 1 adult per 5 minors under 16).
  • Local chapters of national organizations must provide written authorization from their national office allowing use of the organization’s name on signage and identifying authorized representatives.

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 the 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 all participants sign the required volunteer waiver before participating in any Adopt-A-Park clean-up. For participants under 18, a parent or guardian must also sign. The waiver releases the City of Salisbury, its officials, employees, contractors, and agents from liability related to participation in the program.
  • Be present at all park clean-up activities whenever practicable. If the Coordinator is unavailable, an adult group member must assume all Coordinator responsibilities.
  • Complete and submit the required clean-up report to the City’s Adopt-A-Park Program Manager after each clean-up.
  • Report any incident or injury related to the Adopt-A-Park Program to the Department of Field Operations at 410-548-3177. In an emergency, call 9-1-1 first.

The City of Salisbury will provide:

  • Following the group’s first successful clean-up, the City will install a sign recognizing the adopter at the adopted park.
  • Safety information, safety vests, and trash bags.
  • Replacement signs for normal wear and tear. The City will also replace up to two signs at its expense if they are stolen, defaced, or accidentally damaged. The removal of damaged or defaced signs is at the discretion of the Director of Field Operations or their designee.

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 whoever 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.

Please note: The signed Volunteer Waiver and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be printed and brought with you on the day of each scheduled road clean-up. Participants will not be permitted to take part without the required signed documents.

Adopt-A-Park MOU

Adopt-A-Road Waiver

Adopt-A-Park

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
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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.