Adopt-A-Park program results in active community participation

by Sarah Lilja
Champaign Park District

The Adopt-A-Park program at the Champaign Park District began in 1982 and is designed to involve community groups and neighborhoods in a park in an intensive way.

Involvement in the program allows groups to program and maintain their adopted park above the level that the park district is able to achieve on its own. The benefits of this program to the community, park district and adopting groups are tremendous. Adopt-A-Parks increase community cohesion and involvement, encourage a sense of responsibility for the ownership of parks, improve park quality and development, expand programming, and creates a constituency which supports the park district.

The majority of groups that adopt parks live in the neighborhood surrounding the park, however, other community organizations also are involved in the program. For instance, a local service club and the area Eagle Scout Association have adopted parks at the Champaign Park District. These groups are involved in their parks in very much the same way as neighborhood groups. Proximity to a park is not necessary for successful adoption.

Both neighborhood and community Adopt-A-Park groups feel a sense of ownership of their adopted park. They often think of it as an extension of their yard or as a special location for their groups' activities. The members of these groups, particularly the children, refer to the adopted park as "our park." The park district encourages this attitude, recognizing that a sense of ownership leads to greater involvement in and care for a park.

Park adoption builds community involvement. People come together to use and care for their park, developing a cohesive group that is concerned about the park and about each other. Some Adopt-A-Park groups have been so successful at building community cohesion that their park has become the focal point of neighborhood activities. In these neighborhoods, the positive effects of the Adopt-A-Park program often become one of the

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"The Adopt-A-Park program is beneficial for the group, park district and the community. It brings the park district closer to the people."

factors that encourages a new family to buy a home in the area. Other adopting groups have worked together successfully to reduce crime and drug use in their parks and neighborhoods. These groups have been able to involve not just the people who live in the neighborhood, but also the local government and police. Clearly, increased community involvement is of significant benefit to both the park district and the park neighborhood.

Adopting groups feel responsible for their parks. They watch over its trees, shrubs and flowers and its equipment. If a problem is discovered at the park, a member of the Adopt-A-Park group makes sure to let the park district know. The groups also contribute time and effort to the upkeep of their parks, holding cleanup and work days and regularly picking up trash. These groups advise the park district about their park's specific needs and make recommendations for improvements. Their ideas are very valuable to the park district, which recognizes that Adopt-A-Park groups are experts when it comes to the use of their parks.

One unique characteristic of Adopt-A-Park groups that sets them apart from other community groups is that they do more than just ask for park improvements. They also actively raise money to help pay for park changes. Their fund raising efforts can result in greater development in their park as compared to parks that have not been adopted. The Champaign Park District makes a strong effort to encourage fund raising and subsequent park development by matching Adopt-A-Park funds with park district funds. As a result, adopted park development has included new play structures, a wheel chair accessible fishing dock, water fountains, trees, flowers, and more.

Adopt-A-Park groups do a great deal of programming in their parks. Each group is led by one or two coordinators who take responsibility for planning Adopt-A-Park events. They meet regularly with the director of volunteers who is their liaison to the park district. Each summer, the park district schedules special events such as concerts and movies in the adopted parks. The Adopt-A-Park group publicizes these events by distributing flyers to the neighborhood. Usually, 300 to 350 flyers are distributed for each event.

The park district's responsibilities at these events includes staffing the movie or concert and paying its costs, duplicating the flyers and publicizing the event though its normal public information channels. The Adopt-A-Park group often plans and runs an activity before the main event. For instance, they might sell popcorn, ice cream, baked goods, or drinks. At other times, a potluck supper or dessert is planned; or hay rides are given and face painting for the children is offered.

The Adopt-A-Park groups also hold events of their own that do not coincide with a park district event. A popular event is a games night with activities designed for both children and adults. One group holds a Fourth of July parade at their park followed by potluck snacks and family games, the favorite being the water balloon fight. A particularly special event for many adopted parks is the Christmas Tree Lighting party. These groups have purchased lights for their park's Christmas Tree, an existing evergreen or one that has been planted by the group, which are lit during the party.

The park district supports the creative programming ideas of its Adopt-A-Park groups since it could not provide so many activities in these parks on its own. Although the adopting groups purchase their own supplies and their members staff events whenever possible, the park district gives assistance in these areas as needed. In addition, the director of volunteers attends Adopt-A-Park events to ensure that the group's needs have been met.

One of the less obvious but extremely important aspects of an Adopt-A-Park program is its ability to build a supportive constituency for the park district. This program benefits neighborhoods and local groups, providing many opportunities to work with park district staff and to closely observe the park district in action. It brings the park district closer to the people who use the parks and helps the people become more familiar with all the services that are available through the park district. As a result of the many positive interactions between Adopt-A-Park groups and the park district, a loyal public that supports the park district develops.

By now it should be clear that an Adopt-A-Park program is beneficial in many ways, not just for the adopting group, but also for the community and the district. Although there is some cost to the park district, this cost is far outweighed by the positive contributions of the Adopt-A-Park groups. Their activities result in community involvement, a sense of responsibility for parks, improved park quality, increased park development and programming, and a supportive constituency. Ultimately, the value of an Adopt-A-Park program is incalculable.

About the author

Sarah Lilja is director of volunteers at Champaign Park District. She earned a master's degree in social work from San Jose State University in 1986.