ADOPT-A-PARK/ADOPT-A-TRAIL

About Our Programs

Our Mission

Adopt-A-Park: To protect and enhance San José's neighborhood parks and open spaces by ongoing volunteer support and special events, and to educate San José residents about the importance of parks and open spaces.

Adopt-A-Trail: To protect and enhance San José 's open trails through ongoing volunteer support, and to educate San José residents about the importance if trails.

What We Are

Adopt-A-Park (AAP) and Adopt-A-Trail (AAT) are citywide volunteer programs that recruit and train residents to assist in the general care and maintenance of neighborhood parks, trails, and other parkland on City property. AAP/AAT also educates the public about creating and preserving clean and safe parks and trails for everyone.

Our Volunteers

AAP/AAT unites and supports all people interested in improving San José 's neighborhood open spaces and trails. Our volunteers include:

• Individuals
• Senior Citizens
• Neighborhood Associations
• Youth Groups
• Schools
• Scouts
• Church Groups
• Businesses
• Hiking and Biking Enthusiasts

Areas to Adopt

You can adopt the entire park, trail or a particular area in a park, including:

• Sports Fields
• Playgrounds
• Exercise Courses
• Courts
• Flower Beds
• Trees and Shrubs
• Trails
• Undeveloped Park Land

What You Can Do

Volunteers can: Pick up litter Rake leaves Remove graffiti Report park hazards Sweep courts and pathways Pull weeds Care for ecosystems Plant native plants Report homeless encampments, illegal dumping, storm damage, injured or dead animals, mountain lions, and other hazards.

Minimum Commitment

We ask for a minimum commitment of one year of service to your adopted park or trail. We also ask that volunteers perform tasks at their location a minimum of once per month.

Adopt-A-Park and Adopt-A-Trail Training

• Once your adoption is approved, City staff will train the group leader, group or individual to do the tasks for which you have volunteered and provide you with starter materials.
• Volunteers are required to read, understand, and abide by the Safety Guidelines in this handbook and must abide by all park and trail rules and ordinances.
• Once you are trained, you or your group will be considered active volunteers.

Recognition

Adopters receive:

• An official Certificate of Adoption.
• An AAP/AAT T-shirt (while supplies last).
• An invitation to the Annual Recognition Event.
• For park adoptions only: An adoption plaque with the adopters name on it, which will be posted at the adopter's site after 60 volunteer reported hours. This will reinforce a sense of responsibility and pride in the volunteers. (This will occur on a first come first serve basis, and will remain posted as long as the group/individual is an active volunteer.)

How to Sign Up

1. Print and fill out the Adoption Proposal and Agreement (found under the Important Forms section on the right hand side of this page.)
2. Print and fill out the Volunteer Service Agreement (found under the Important Forms section on the right hand side of this page) for the Group Leader and any other initial group members. Volunteers under 18 years of age must use the Volunteer Service Agreement - Minor form and must have a parent/guardian signature.
3. Fax or mail the forms to:
   Adopt-A-Park / Adopt-A-Trail
   200 East Santa Clara Street
   Tower Floor 9
   San José, CA  95113
   
   Fax: (408) 287-2168
4. AAP/AAT Staff will review your Adoption Proposal. You will be contacted upon approval to set up an appointment for a training session.