2024 Adopt-a-Park or Trail Application and Volunteer Sign-Up

The Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Trail program is a partnership between Des Moines Parks and Recreation, community members, public or private organizations, and local businesses to assist in the ongoing cleanup and beautification of parks and trails. 


APPLY TO ADOPT-a-PARK or TRAIL 

To adopt a park or trail, a Volunteer Leader must select an available park or trail listed below, view the description, and complete and submit the application questions. 

If no parks or trails are visible, all locations are currently full. To add yourself to a waitlist please email the Field Coordinator at: parksvolunteer@dmgov.org 

Field Coordinator will follow up with you once your application is received. Please do not begin a clean up until the Field Coordinator has reached out to you regarding your application. 


VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

If you are currently assigned a park or trail, enter the password provided to you by your Volunteer Leader where it says 'Password'. Questions will be generated after selecting your park or trail once the password is entered. 


If you are interested in a one-day clean-up for your group, please email the Field Coordinator at parksvolunteer@dmgov.org

Questions? Please contact the Field Coordinator at parksvolunteer@dmgov.org or by calling or texting (515)250-4548. 



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Your information


Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
Do you have any access requirements or accommodation requests you'd like us to be aware of?
Please feel free to list any accommodations or allergies below.
Are you a returning volunteer with Des Moines Parks and Recreation? *
Birthdate *

A valid date as MM/DD/YYYY (for example: 11/30/2015)
Group/Organization (If applicable):
First Name *
Last Name *
Volunteer Leader First Name *
Volunteer Leader Last Name *
Cell Phone *

For example, 123-456-7890
Address *
City *
State *
Zip Code *
Adoption Signage Wording (up to 2 lines, max. 15 characters/line) *
Do you need supplies (ex. trash bags, gloves, etc.)? *
Backup Contact Name: *
Backup Contact Email: *
Backup Contact Phone:
Are you 18 years or older? *
Parent/Legal Guardian Full Name *
Parent/Legal Guardian Cell Phone *
Emergency Contact Full Name *
Emergency Contact Cell Phone *
Preferred Adoption Start Date (adoption will occur for one full calendar year from your adoption start date with the option to renew): *

A valid date as MM/DD/YYYY (for example: 11/30/2015)
Estimated Number of Participants
Proposed Work Schedule - Minimum Requirement is Quarterly Cleanups (Once Every 3 Months)
Would you allow other volunteers to assist with your adoption area? (You may select both the first AND second option if you'd like.)

Parties agree to the following:
1.) The City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation recognizes the above "Individual/Group Adopter" as the Adopter of the above "Adoption Area" for the above "Adoption Period," At the end of this time, the Agreement will terminate. However, if acceptable to both parties, the Adopter may renew the Agreement for an additional year. The Field Coordinator also has the right to terminate the Agreement early for failure to host the required number of cleanups or failure to follow Parks and Recreation Department Adopt-a-Park/Trail program guidelines.
2.) City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation will provide any supplies/tools to complete work safely such as: poison ivy and meth lab identification, waivers, safety vests, litter grabbers, work gloves, and trash bags.
3.) The Adopter accepts the responsibility for the supplies, litter cleanup, and tasks outlined in this agreement and will clean, care for, and return them at the agreed-upon time.
4.) Adopter must submit work dates for a minimum of four times over the calendar year.
5.) The Adopter has read the Adopt-a-Park/Trail program guidelines, event checklist, safety recommendations, and Volunteer Release and Waiver Form, and will provide this information to additional group members.
6.) Adopter is aware of the nature of the work to be performed and potential hazards, including but not limited to the presence of traffic, hazardous debris, drug paraphernalia, uneven terrain, insects, and animals.
7.) Volunteer Leader must obtain signatures from all volunteers on the Volunteer Release and Waiver Form, or have all volunteers sign up on the provided signup link, prior to participation in the program. Minors may volunteer, under adult supervision, with a Volunteer Release and Waiver Form signed by a parent or legal guardian.
8.) Participants agree to abide by provided guidelines and safety recommendations.
9.) The contact person for Des Moines Parks and Recreation is the Field Coordinator: 515-248-6295.
Do you accept and agree to the Adopt-a-Park and Trail Agreement listed in the description above? *
Do you accept and agree to the attached Permission to Participate, Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement and Photo Release? *

Waiver

In consideration of me, or my minor child, being permitted to participate in any way in the above-named Volunteer Program, I, the Undersigned, for myself and my minor child, all of my or my minor child's, personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, next of kin, successors and assigns, herein referred to as "Releasors", do hereby:

1. Acknowledge that this volunteer service carries with it the potential for serious injury, death and/or property damage, and certify as to my physical fitness and that of my minor child to participate and declare that neither I, nor my minor child, have been advised otherwise by a qualified medical professional.

2. Acknowledge, agree, and represent that I and my minor child will, at all times, be aware of the surroundings during the volunteer service and agree that if I or my minor child consider anything related to this Activity to be unsafe, will immediately advise the Activity officials of such, and if necessary, will leave the area or refuse to participate further in the volunteer service.

3. Waive, release and discharge, and covenant not to sue, the City of Des Moines, Iowa, its elected and appointed officials, employees, volunteers, sponsors, partner organizations and agents, including others who give recommendations, directions, or instructions as part of this volunteer service, hereinafter referred to in this document as "City", from any and all liability to Releasors, except for my minor child, for any and all loss or damage, and any claim or demands therefore, on account of injury to the person or property, or resulting in my death or that of my minor child, including but not limited to illness or damage to me or my minor child’s property arising out of or related to the volunteer service, including traveling to or from the volunteer service and before, during, and after the volunteer service.

4. Agree to Indemnify and Save and Hold Harmless the City and each of them from any loss, liability, damage, or cost to third parties that they may incur arising out of or related to me or my minor child’s participation in this volunteer service.

5. Assume full responsibility for any risk of bodily injury, including but not limited to illness, death or property damage arising out of or related to the volunteer service. I agree to comply with all applicable safety rules, including wearing protective clothing, close-toed shoes/boots, safety goggles, gloves, and vest while performing my volunteer activities.

6. Agree that this Permission to Participate, Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement and Photo Release extends to all acts of negligence by the City, but excluding willful, wanton or reckless conduct, and is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by law including any governmental immunity afforded the City by law and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect.

7. Authorize any medical treatment, including the administration of anesthesia, deemed advisable by any licensed physician and/or Emergency Responder (EMT) to relieve any injuries received or illness contracted by me or my minor child as a participant in this volunteer service. I hereby agree to pay all costs of any medical treatment or emergency transportation.

8. Authorize and consent to the City, its sponsors, and any news media, and their successors and assigns and those acting under their authority, to take, publish, use for public display in any media now or hereinafter known and including without limitation on the City’s social media accounts, and copyright photographs, videotape or other audio or visual media, including broadcast in any media, of me or my minor child, including but not limited to those that capture me or my minor child’s name, voice, and/or image, and agree that such may be used for any lawful purpose without limitation or reservation and without further compensation or approval.

I have read the Permission to Participate, Release and Waiver, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement and Photo Release, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights of my own and of my minor child by signing it, and sign it voluntarily without assurance or guarantee being made to me and intend my signature to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the fullest extent permitted by law, including all acts of negligence by the City as stated above. I agree that this Permission to Participate, Release and Waiver, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement and Photo Release will be IN EFFECT for 5 YEARS from the date of my signature and/or electronic submission, unless otherwise terminated by me in writing delivered to the City.