Adopt-A-Park

Adopters will be issued permission to work once an Adopt-A-Park Agreement is signed by both the adopter designee and the CCPR director or designee. The agreement lists the site, all permitted duties, allowable equipment or techniques, and any limitations on work.

Individuals or groups must be approved through our application and interview process.  Successful candidates will be residents, groups, or businesses located in or near the Carmel area.  They will demonstrate a specific interest or expertise in a relevant work scope that CCPR has a need to fulfill.  The candidate will demonstrate the ability and willingness to maintain the agreed upon work scope in the selected park location. 

Typical agreements will require an initial trial period of 6 months while working toward an overall commitment of at least 12 months.  Agreements are renewable each year.  Youth groups are welcome to adopt trails during the school year, with work coordinated by the teacher or other adult leader.

• Central Park
• Cherry Tree Park
• Flowing Well Park
• Greyhound Trail
• Lenape Park
• Monon Greenway
• River Heritage Park

Don’t see the location you’d like to adopt? Email us at volunteer@carmelclayparks.com.

Standards for maintenance of the assigned area or trail section will be detailed in the agreement. If agreed-upon standards are not being met, the coordinator will discuss the site with the adopter. If assistance is needed, it can be given in the form of supplementary volunteer work parties, staff support or advice. The coordinator may terminate the agreement in writing if the adopter wishes exclusive responsibility for the site but fails after discussion to maintain it to the agreed-upon standards.

Adopt-A-Park participants deserve recognition for all they accomplish at their adoptive sites. Adoptive groups/individuals will be recognized with a sign located at the adopted location pending satisfactory completion of the first 6 months of their agreement. Adopters will also have the opportunity for recognition on official CCPR social media platforms. Adoptive groups/individuals will also be recognized at our annual Volunteer Reception and Award Ceremony.

Volunteers are assigned appropriate maintenance work scopes suitable for their skills and interests. Duties can be as simple as routine litter pickup, or as involved as prairie restoration, invasive species control, trail maintenance, or playground mulching.

Projects depend on the needs of the adopted park site. Generally, these jobs do not require power tools. If power tools or equipment are required, the volunteer must demonstrate relevant competency with the Park Maintenance Foreman with their own equipment to determine if they are qualified. The Volunteer Coordinator will go over possible duties once an application has been submitted for the participant group, as duties will vary by location. All work must be completed during daylight hours.

Adopters are asked to provide their own tools, including trash bags and hand tools. If others are needed to complete the work, adopters can coordinate with CCPR.

Participants must carry out the standards to which they have been trained on and should not attempt additional work scopes they have not been trained on. If at any point a participant is concerned about the lack of training for a particular task they should stop and request additional training and/or assistance. The Volunteer Coordinator will conduct initial training with the identified leader of the participant group until both parties are comfortable with the agreed upon tasks. The participant group leader will be responsible for training other participants throughout the duration of the agreement. The Volunteer Coordinator may continue to assist with coordinating additional projects and/or training after the adopters are working on their own.

Adopt-A-Park volunteers will have to agree and sign the volunteer waiver. Once a group has been approved and assigned a location, volunteers will be guided to the volunteer portal where they can register as a volunteer with Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation and complete the waiver.

Code of Conduct

All participants + volunteers are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times while participating, spectating, attending or volunteering for any program or activity sponsored by Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR). The following guidelines are designed to provide safe and enjoyable activities for all participants & volunteers.

I agree to show respect to all participants, fellow volunteers and CCPR staff, take direction from program CCPR staff, refrain from using abusive or foul language, refrain from causing bodily harm to self, other volunteers, participants or CCPR staff, and refrain from damaging equipment, supplies and facilities.

I agree that I am physically and mentally able to undertake on the activity that I am assigned.  If it becomes clear at anytime that I am unable to continue to participate in the assigned activity, I will immediately discontinue the assignment.  I allow CCPR staff to perform first aid or any emergency medical treatment to me in case of an accident, injury or illness that may occur during my assignment.

Photo & Video Policy, Acknowledgment and Authorization

Photos and video footage are periodically taken of participants in a class, program or during a special event or at any Carmel Clay park. All photos and video footage are the property of the Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation and are used in its Department publications and on its website. My initials evidence my acknowledgement of such ownership and authorization of such use.