Imagine trying to maintain a 1,600-acre yard. Sounds like a daunting task, doesn’t it?

Nobody knows that better than the City of Topeka Parks and Recreation Department, which is responsible for taking care of 101 parks totaling about 1,600 acres.

The amount of mowing alone is almost overwhelming. Toss in the maintenance of flower beds and park amenities (playgrounds, picnic areas, etc.), and it’s easy to understand that something like trash pickup can get overlooked.

The good news is we all can help. By participating in the city’s Adopt-A-Park program, organizations, groups and individuals can agree to remove litter and trash from a particular park a minimum of 12 times a year for a one-year period.

Parks and Recreation will handle the mowing, trimming, planting and weeding. The department also can provide trash bags at no cost to the adopting group or individual. All the volunteers have to do is pick up trash and litter.

“This provides a huge help to the parks division, and keeps Topeka parks beautiful,” said Jon Carney, the city’s superintendent of parks.

Designed for nonprofit organizations looking for community service opportunities, the program had 29 parks adopted in 2009. After one year of documented service, a sign can be placed in the park recognizing the adopting group.

Additional information:
http://www.topeka.org/parksrec/adopt_a_park.shtml
or by contacting the Park Management Office at 368-3700