Program invites public to help maintain the beauty of local parks
Published in the Oct. 14-27, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Nichole Parker
Nichole Parker
The city of Morgan Hill’s Adopt a Park program offers an opportunity for local families, businesses and groups to get involved in their community either by volunteering their time or through sponsorships to support our parks, trails and creeks. The idea for the program was initiated by the Morgan Hill Parks and Recreation Commission and was implemented earlier this year as a way to invite local residents to get involved and help maintain the beauty in our local parks, trails and creeks.
Volunteers can choose from a variety of projects, including raking leaves, cleaning play structures, picking up litter and pulling weeds in parks and trails. Or they can look for projects specific to individual parks, such as pruning roses in January at the Community and Cultural Center’s Rose Garden or repairing benches at Paradise Park. It’s a great way to get involved, build group camaraderie and help the community.
The Adopt a Park program also offers sponsorship opportunities. Whether you financially support the beautification of your favorite park or make a dedication in honor or recognition of a loved one, there are many options to choose from. We have projects ranging in support from $1 (the Community Sponsor level) up to $10,000 or more (the Diamond Sponsor level). Some sponsorship opportunities allow a person’s name or a business or group logo to be displayed at the park as well as the name recognized on a plaque at City Hall.
Among monetary sponsorship opportunities is the dedication of a new bench, tree or other approved structure for a term of 10 years, which included dedication plaques. Persons might wish also to sponsor the dedication an existing bench, tree or other approved and available structure for a term of 10 years.
Donations made support the maintenance, beautification and accessibility of the park. Projects may include but are not limited to: maintaining or replacing playground equipment, planting and maintaining plants and/or trees, adding or replacing benches or irrigation systems, painting, and other maintenance projects as needed. Let your community know you’re doing your part when you display a recognition plaque in your office or home. You can also recognize or honor a loved one through the tribute sponsorships available.
The Adopt a Park Program is a great way to get involved in Morgan Hill. Not only does this program allow a variety of options and customization, but it also invites people of all ages to participate in making Morgan Hill a great place to live and spend their free time. Beautiful parks, trails and creeks lend themselves to more activities and more fun for families as well as a better aesthetic for visitors and events.
If you or your group or business would like to learn more about the Adopt a Park program in Morgan Hill, you can find additional information at www.helpmorganhillparks.com. For information regarding volunteer opportunities, please call (408) 776-7333. For information regarding sponsorships and dedications, please call (408) 310-4694.
Nichole Parker is the community services coordinator for the city of Morgan Hill. She wrote this column for Morgan Hill Life.
