10-27-83 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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IFF r, 1110 "ADOPT A PARK PROGRAM" The Lakeville Park Department is now accepting applications from citizens for assignments in the "Adopt A Park" program. The program is being developed to assist the Park Maintenance Department through its current financial setback. The majority of funds cut from the total park and recreation budget came from the maintenance department, espec- ially in the area of part-time summer help, where the entire budget was cut. The maintenance department is responsible for 32 separate sites. These sites range from Aronson Park, consisting of fifty acres of grass, to very small parks of less than one-fourth acre. It's these smaller parks that we are offering to the citizens for adoption of maintenance chores. A private citizen or an entire neigh- borhood is eligible for this program. The benefits are numerous. First of all, the parks in question will receive continuous mainten- ance, thus keeping the neighborhood aesthetically pleasing; it keeps the park functional for use; the neighborhood develops a sense of pride in caring for the park, thus reducing and sometimes eliminating potential vandalism; it is a way of bringing neighbors together, developing friend- ", ships and better communications with neighborhoods; and lastly, it offers a legitimate state tax deduction for volunteer time and use of equipment. If a single person chooses to adopt a park, then the tax benefits would be greater. If a neighborhood consisting of three or four individuals share the responsibility, then the benefits are distributed accordingly. We have developed a scale of what we envision certain types of mainten- ance projects are valued. The City would then, after the summer season is completed, issue a letter to our volunteers certifying the amount of work and its deductable value. The basic requirements would include signing a contractual agreement that would specify the park and its location, the types of maintenance tasks and how often these tasks would be performed. Maintenance chores would range from collecting litter, mowing grass, trimming grass around existing facilities and other minor tasks as they may arise. The person or persons would also be a lookout for possible defective playground equipment or other dangerous situations that may occur. Major repairs to equipment and other facilities would be the responsibility of our miantenance department. The contract would remain in force as long as the individual felt comfortable in fulfilling the responsibilities as stated in the contract. If an individual decided to cancel his or her contract, they would only have to give us a short notice in order to find another volunteer or reschedule the park under our normal maintenance schedule. 1110