Adopt-A-Bit of Bloomington

Our streets, water bodies and parks are waiting for your TLC

Who can adopt?

Anyone!!! The programs aim to unite and support all people interested in parks, water bodies and streets. Our volunteers include:

Individuals and families.
Neighborhood and community/civic associations.
Youth groups and schools.
Scouts.
Church groups.
Businesses.
Hiking/biking and nature enthusiasts.

One-third of the city – more than 8,000 acres – is blanketed with parks and open spaces. Into this rich landscape are woven more than 300 wetlands, ponds, lakes and creeks that flow to the Minnesota River. And leading into the water bodies are thousands of storm water drains that run beneath the 342 miles of City streets crisscrossing the town. These interconnected bits of Bloomington – streets and storm water drains, wetlands and water bodies, parks and open spaces – are part of a large environmental picture; their beauty and health are important.

In addition to making the city look great, parks, open spaces and water bodies provide recreation and habitat for wildlife. Streets and storm drains that are clean and free of pollutants help wetlands to remain healthy. Wetlands, in turn, provide filtration for water and act as sponges to hold water and prevent flooding during heavy rainfalls. Bloomington’s streets, water bodies and open spaces need the attention of concerned, caring residents and businesses to keep them looking and performing their best.

What are Adopt-A-Park and Adopt-A-Street?
What can be adopted?
What would we do if we Adopt-A-Park?
What would we do if we Adopt-A-Street?
How do you adopt a park or a street?
What forms are required?
What are volunteers responsible for?
What does the City supply to volunteers?
Acknowledgement and recognition
We can't commit long-term, could we still volunteer?
More information on protecting water resources.

What are Adopt-A-Park and Adopt-A-Street?

Bloomington’s Adopt-A-Park and Adopt-A-Street are community-based, environmental-stewardship programs developed to draw attention to the uses and intrinsic value of the city’s diverse park, street and storm water systems.

Local residents, service organizations and businesses volunteer to help beautify and maintain these vital resources. By adopting a bit of Bloomington, you are taking pride in your community.

What can be adopted?

You can adopt water bodies, an entire park, trail or a particular area, including: playgrounds, flower beds, trees and shrubs, trails or undeveloped park land.

Some high visibility areas in Bloomington to consider adopting include main roads (Lyndale Avenue South, West 82nd or 84th Street, Bloomington Ferry Road), streets adjacent to I-494 and I-35W or streetscapes (Lyndale and 98th, France and Old Shakopee Road). A residential street may also be adopted by the neighborhood.

What would we do if we Adopt-A-Park?

As a volunteer, you have a unique opportunity to donate time to your community and enjoy the results of your hard work. You can:

Pick up litter and keep storm drains clean.
Report illegal dumping, graffiti and other park hazards.
Care for trees and native plants.
Engage in and assist in special park projects.
Monitor recycling.
Monitor water quality by joining the Wetland Health Evaluation Program .
Educate the community.
Remove buckthorn and other invasive plants.

Your volunteer efforts increase public awareness of the importance of protecting our natural resources, generate pride in our parks and water bodies, and demonstrate a commitment to your community. As an individual, group or business, you can create a better environment for yourself and the next generation. The program is not designed to replace regular maintenance of the parks.

What would we do if we Adopt-A-Street?

Each street is unique and activities can vary. You can choose to:

Periodically collect litter.
Keep catch basins free of debris and leaves.
Care for landscaped medians.
Remove weeds.
Plant flowers.
Add mulch.
Sweep before spring street sweeping.
Mow and care for any plantings along a portion of a public right-of-way.

Materials, supplies and safety vests are provided. Any debris collected will be hauled and disposed of by the City. The program is not designed to replace regular maintenance of the streets.

How do you adopt a park or a street?

We ask for a minimum commitment of one year of service to your adopted park or street. We also ask that volunteers perform tasks at their location a minimum of once per month unless it is a special project. If you are ready to commit:

Think of a park or street you would like to adopt and the type of project you would like to complete. If you are not sure what is available to adopt in your area, please call the Maintenance Division at 952-563-8760 for more information.
The group leader or individual must complete, sign and return the Adoption Proposal and Agreement form. Every group member must read the Program Safety Guidelines and, then, sign and return the Liability Waiver. Minors are required to have a parent or guardian signature.
The forms will be reviewed and you will be notified when you can start. Staff at the Public Works Department are available to help you with questions and concerns, and will see to it that the Adopt-A-Park or Adopt-A-Street signage is displayed reflecting your group’s commitment.

What forms are required?

Adoption Proposal and Agreement (28KB PDF)
- Task Agreement (24KB PDF)
- Liability Waiver (24KB PDF)
Program Safety Guidelines (24KB PDF)

What are volunteers responsible for?

Volunteers are required to maintain their adopted bit of Bloomington for at least one year. We encourage volunteers to work at their park at least once a month, and at a minimum of four times per year. Volunteers make up their own schedules.
Volunteers are required to read, understand and abide by the Safety Guidelines.
Volunteers must abide by all park rules and City ordinances.
Volunteers must notify Adopt-A-Park and Adopt-A-Street to change specific volunteer duties.
Volunteers must return all supplies upon resignation.
Volunteers must keep track of the number of hours spent volunteering on a monthly basis and report total hours to the City coordinator. The City documents this volunteer information for the total yearly hours.

What does the City supply to volunteers?

Volunteer groups are asked to provide their own safety clothing, tools and equipment. If needed, the City can provide tools and supplies to assist you in your duties. The following tools and supplies are available to volunteers:

Bags and latex gloves.
Litter stick ("garbage picker-upper").
Tools, such as rakes, hoes and brooms.
Painting supplies, such as paint, graffiti solvent, rollers, brushes and pans.
Safety equipment, such as vests, goggles and masks.
Buckthorn pullers (Weed Wrenches) and loppers.

With the exception of bags, gloves and painting supplies, all tools are loaned on a checkout basis.

Acknowledgement and recognition

Adopters receive:

An official Certificate of Adoption.
An invitation to the City’s Annual Volunteer Recognition Event.
A sign with the adoptee name posted at the adoption site after 40 reported volunteer hours. Posted on a first-come first-serve basis, the sign will remain at the site as long as the group/individual is an active volunteer.

We can't commit long-term, could we still volunteer?

The City sponsors one-time events, such as cleanup projects or tree plantings. We also welcome financial donations that support the purchase equipment, park tables and planting materials. Call the number below for information.

For more information, contact:

Maintenance Division
1700 W. 98th Street
PH: 952-563-8760
E-mail: maintenance@ci.bloomington.mn.us