Maplewood Launches 'Adopt-a-Park' Program

The Maplewood Green Team will launch a new program that encourages residents to 'adopt' a local green space to keep it clean, according to a press release issued by the group.

The program, "Adopt-A-Park Site," will officially launch at Maplewood Green Day on Saturday, April 27.  

Maplewood Township boasts six public parks with a variety of amenities such as nature trails, ball fields, tennis courts, playgrounds and a duck pond. The parks are: Memorial Park, Walter Park, Maplecrest Park, Orchard Park, DeHart Park, and Milo Borden Park.

The Green Team has divided the parks into manageable areas that are small enough for a family, organization or group to clear of trash in about an hour. By adopting a park site, each group is agreeing to clean their site at least once a month. 

Each group must have an adult over the age of 18 who will be present at the cleanups. The groups will be recognized for their work on the www.MaplewoodIsGreen.org website. 

Eric Burbank, Director of the Maplewood Department of Public Works said, "Our staff can't be everywhere, so our Adopt-A-Park Site volunteers will help keep the parks clean. We will work closely with them. I look forward to seeing how the program grows." 

Benjamin Kubany, a 13-year-old Maplewood resident who has been interested in the environment for several years and who is helping to sign up Maplewood families, said, "Trash is an enormous problem, here in Maplewood and all around the world. We have to start locally by getting trash out of our parks and restoring their beauty."   

Sign-ups and complete maps for sites will be available at Maplewood Green Day. Programs like the Green Day event and the Adopt-A-Park Site program contribute to Maplewood’s certification points for the statewide Sustainable Jersey program. Maplewood is a model town in the program and has been certified since 2009.  

The Green Team hopes to eventually expand the program to include other public spaces in Maplewood.

To volunteer for the Maplewood Adopt-A-Park Site program, e-mail Green Team member, traceywoods@verizon.net or attend Maplewood Green Day and visit the booth to sign-up.