Adopt-A-Project’s Mission and Vision

The Adopt-A-Project volunteer program is an example of the Parks and Recreation Department’s vision:

Creating Community through People, Parks & Programs

Adopt-A-Project is a key component of the department’s mission to:

• Strengthen Community Image and Sense of Place
• Strengthen Safety and Security
• Facilitate Community Problem Solving
• Protect Environmental Resources
• Provide Recreational Experiences
• Support Economic Development
• Promote Health and Wellness
• Increase Cultural Unity
• Foster Human Development

What is Adopt-A-Project?

Adopt-A-Project is a City-wide volunteer program that enables groups and individuals to assist in the general care and maintenance of public spaces in San Carlos.Applicable training is provided.

Adopt-A-Project is a program that involves as well as educates the public in what it takes to protect environmental resources, keep our community safe, well maintained, and clean.

Benefits

Adopt-A-Project helps to provide safe environments and strengthen community image and sense of place.Our well-maintained public spaces attract and retain businesses and residents.

Who can Adopt-A-Project?

Anyone! Adopt-A-Project’s aim is to unite people interested in improving San Carlos’ public spaces.Our volunteers include businesses, individuals, neighborhood associations, schools, church groups, service clubs, seniors, youth groups, and scouts.

What can be adopted?

Areas within the city that can be adopted include:

Signs	Recycle Coordination
Tree Planting	Public Spaces
Landscape Areas/Medians	Pedestrian Zones

How can volunteers help?

Volunteers can help care for their adopted areas in the following ways:

Painting and Cleaning Projects:signage, planters, sidewalks, litter collection

Planting and Maintenance:trees, shrubbery, flowers, City medians

Clean-up of City creeks, median strips, parking plazas

The adoption process:

1. To adopt a public space or special project contact San Carlos Parks and Recreation at (650) 802-4421, 600 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA 94070.

2. Obtain, sign and return an “Adopt-A-Project Agreement” form.(If you are under the age of 18, you must have parent’s/guardian’s signature on the agreement forms.)Forms are attached.

3. Upon approval of your proposal, you will be oriented by staff so you may begin work at your adopted site.

What will the City Do?

City staff will provide:

• Orientation
• Training for the type of work you will be doing
• Paint needed for painting projects
• Trees and shrubs for planting.Some trees provided by Re-Leaf, part of Sustainable San Carlos.

Parks and Recreation will remove trash that is gathered.

Guidelines:

• Volunteers are required to read and understand the attached Safety Guidelines.
• Volunteers are responsible for keeping track of the number of hours spent volunteering and report total hours to the Adopt-A-Project Coordinator.Sign-In form is attached.
• Volunteers must abide by all rules and ordinances.

Acknowledgement and Recognition

Adopters receive:

• An official Certificate of Adoption
• Recogntion in media release(s)
• Recognition in communications to the San Carlos Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council

Pertinent City Park Ordinances

UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES DESIGNATED 12.12.060

A. No person, group or organization using, present upon, or within any park or recreation facility or area, or parking lot, including the immediately adjacent sidewalks and streets, and which bound such public park or parking lot, shall:

1. Possess or exhibit an open container of any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage, or consume or drink its contents, unless such person, group or organization has first complied with all State Alcoholic Beverage Control requirements, and in addition obtained a permit for such possession and/or consumption from the Director of Parks and Recreation;

2. Ride a bicycle, skateboard or skates on pedestrian pathways or sidewalks, or upon turf areas, athletic fields, courts or planted areas, or within buildings;

3. Willfully mark, cut, deface, write upon, disfigure, injure, open, expose, interfere or tamper with, or displace or remove any turf, soil, sand, grass, rock, tree, shrub wood, water pipe, gas pipe, hydrant, stopcock, sewer, basin, bench, table, furniture, utensil, monument, fence, equipment, paving, heavy materials, utility lines, signs, notices or placards, apparatus or any portion of any structure or equipment of any facility, building or other City property whatsoever,

4. Enter any area which is posted as being closed to the public to protect growth or establish plants, or which is used as a service facility, or which is under repair,

5. With the exception of police officers, no person in or upon any park and recreation facility or area shall take or cause to be taken into that facility or area, exhibit, or use any firearm, air gun, slingshot, firecracker, torpedo, rocket, missile or weapon of any sort, including the use of any dangerous instrumentality in any manner which approximates a weapon;

6. Start a fire for any purpose, except in places provided for such purposes.

7. It is unlawful, and a misdemeanor, for anyone to violate any provision of this chapter including violating any of the rules and regulations promulgated for City parks and recreation facilities.