
The neighbors of Greenbrier Park

The Liberty Glen Homeowners Association

Target at the Mary Beth Doyle Park rain garden

EMU's National Association of Black Accountants

The veteran’s memorial garden at Scheffler Park

U of M chapter of American Nuclear Society

The neighbors of Wurster Park

Neighbors of Turnberry Park

Mitsubishi at Southeast Area Park

The Glacier Highlands Neighborhood Association

Eldor Automotive Powertrain USA
Are you interested in making an impact at your local city park?
The Adopt-a-Park volunteer program promotes long-term partnerships between residents and city government to maintain and beautify our parks. Park adopters can be individuals, neighborhood associations, community groups, school clubs and local businesses. Park adopters work with the Adopt-a-Park Coordinator to develop expectations, create a workplan and schedule workdays. We work with you to create a plan that works with your interests and level of commitment! We provide support, technical expertise and coordination with City of Ann Arbor services and resources. We can also provide necessary supplies and help make pre-approved plant purchases.
If you are looking for a one-time volunteer opportunity for you, your coworkers or your community group, please visit the GIVE 365 page.
Adopt-a-Park is a seasonal program within GIVE 365 and is open March-November.
Who can adopt a park?
Neighborhood associations
Adopt-a-Park is a great way to unite neighbors to help maintain and beautify their nearby park. The Adopt-a-Park Coordinator can help organize a spring or fall workday to clean-up the park and get more people involved. By volunteering together at their local park, neighbors can advocate for park improvements while getting to know each other and having fun! Adopt-a-Park can provide supplies and facilitation from staff. We can also assist with advertising the workday and getting the word out to your neighbors.
Individuals
If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer outdoors, Adopt-a-Park might be a perfect match for you! Projects that are great for individual park adopters include tending to gardens and landscaping, removing invasive vegetation and keeping a general eye on the park. You can adopt your neighborhood park as an individual or work with the Adopt-a-Park Coordinator to find a park that fits your interests. If your adopted park or project ends up needing more helping hands, we can help recruit neighbors or additional volunteers.
Groups
School clubs, community groups or local businesses are great Adopt-a-Park volunteers! Your group commits to volunteering together at the same park throughout the year. Park workdays can take place twice per year, once per month or more often depending on the park needs. These group workdays can be facilitated by staff with all supplies provided. If your group or business would like to take a more active role in caring for a city park or garden bed, you may work on a pre-approved project on your own time as needed.
What types of projects do park adopters work on?
You will work with the Adopt-a-Park Coordinator to create a plan customized for you and your park. Typical projects include maintaining gardens, removing litter, mulching trees, spreading woodchips on playgrounds, weeding and removing invasive vegetation. You or your group may help maintain the entire park or commit to caring for one aspect (such as a flowerbed). We work together to coordinate projects that align with your interests and the park needs.
What are the expectations?
Please review our Adopt-a-Park Expectations (PDF 161KB) to learn about the policies that must be followed by each Adopt-a-Park volunteer.
Please include pertinent details such as what level of commitment you are interested in, how often you expect to work in your adopted park, how many individuals would participate and any park project ideas you may have!
If you are a park neighbor, contact us to find out if there are active Adopt-a-Park volunteers at your nearby park!