Parks & Recreation could use your help! Volunteer opportunities are available through the Department of Parks and Recreation Adopt-A-Park Program.
The Fairbanks
North Star Borough Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to
thank these outstanding volunteers from the Retired Teachers
Association for helping to beautify Kiwanis Park. Volunteers
are pictured painting a mural on the north side of the concrete
block bathroom located in the park. Drive by and have a look
at their great work! Pictured from left to right are Bev
Byington, Carolyn Gray, Sandy Glover, Lizabeth Buckalew and Marilynn
Townsend.
Here's your chance to lend a hand! The Fairbanks North Star Borough Adopt-A-Park Program offers a wonderful opportunity for individuals or groups to get involved in their community and neighborhoods working to make Fairbanks a more attractive, vibrant, healthy, and safe place to live. We need your help to keep our parks and public places safe and inviting places for children to play and families to recreate. Come on out and join your friends and neighbors in keeping Fairbanks a great place to work and play.
How much work will it be?
Projects can be large or small depending on the volunteer's commitment and abilities. Past projects have included: tree planting, playground equipment installation, litter control, ballfield construction, flower planting, planter box weeding, painting, picnic table construction, and brushing and clearing. Additionally, there is always room for someone to help out at one of the numerous special events held in the parks. None of your hard work will go unappreciated by the community. No contribution is too big or too small.
Who can participate?
Any group or individual willing to make the necessary commitment can adopt a park. Volunteers from civic organizations, businesses, social clubs, neighborhood associations, individual families, churches, college student organizations, school groups, or employee groups are welcome to participate.
How long is the commitment?
The commitment will be tailored to the park, project, and group. Volunteers are needed for one-time events and multi-year projects. Don't be shy. Ask us to tailor a project to your needs. We will ask that groups adopting an entire park make a multi-year commitment to insure that all park projects are completed.
What am I responsible for?
Sweat equity. Most of the activities of the
Adopt-A-Park Program require physical labor. Of course, many
renovation or rehabilitation projects may require the purchase of
materials and equipment. We are always open to accepting these
kinds of donations and encourage businesses and civic organizations
to donate to the worthy project or park of their choice.
How do we Adopt-A-Park?
Call John Haas, the Department of Parks and Recreation Parks Superintendent, at 459-1198 to set up an appointment to discuss potential parks or projects.
VOLUNTEER EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
We could never hope to create a comprehensive list of every project, park, or event that could use your attention. Please visit your favorite park or public place and make a list of the improvements you think are most important, or take a look at some of those listed below. Then, pick up the phone and call one of our project coordinators at 459-1074 or 459-1099
Projects looking for volunteers:
Spring clean-up at your favorite park
Planter box weeding and planting at your favorite park
Landscaping Birch Hill parking median
Parks in need of a hand: Very few parks have been formally adopted. So, please inquire with the Department of Parks and Recreation to see if your favorite park has an active partner.
Pioneer Park Projects & Events:
Planting flowers (every Spring)
Annual park spring cleaning (every Spring)
Holiday lighting installation and set-up, multiple volunteers needed (every Winter)
Prune roses (every Fall)
Volunteer Recognition & Thank You
Please forgive us for any omissions or errors we make in our thank you section, these web pages are still a work in progress. We cannot begin to thank all of the groups and individuals who have lent a helping hand over the years (if your group is missing from our list give us a call and we will make sure to include you next time). We would like to recognize the following groups for their contributions and continuing efforts in our community parks.
Sunrisers Rotary working to construct a picnic shelter in South Fairbanks Park.
Kiwanis Club of Fairbanks for their support maintaining Kiwanis Park.
Alyeska Pipeline Service Co for helping to do spring cleaning. (as shown in the pictures below)
Ester Community Association for all their work on the Community Park.
Grange # 4 for helping with cleaning brush at Allridge Park.
Fairbanks Host Lions for their continued dedication to maintaining the Fairbanks Lions Recreation Area.
Fairbanks Garden Club for all their work at Weeks Field
Gold Stream Valley Lions for all they've done to create a Gold Stream Valley Park.
Helen Snedden Foundation for supporting Snedden Park with cash donations.
Nordic Ski Club for their many and continued Birch Hill Contributions.
Operating Engineers Local 302 for all your work at Myrtle Thomas Park, Snedden Park, The Moore Street ballfields, and Morning Star Park in North Pole.
Salcha Ski Club for the great work on the Salcha Ski Trails.
Two Rivers Community Organization for their continuing commitment to the Two Rivers Sports Complex.
Two Rivers Ski Club for all they've done to maintain the ski trails for the folks in Two Rivers.
Master Gardner's of the Tanana Valley for all their work maintaining the flower beds at Pioneer Park.
Optimist Club for their work at Slaterville Park and the new concession stand at the Moore Street Fields.
*** A BIG THANK YOU from the Fairbanks North Star Borough to the KIWANIS CLUB***
Local Kiwanis Club Members hard at work volunteering to clean Kiwanis Picnic Area. Thanks, Kiwanis Club. The Parks & Recreation Department wants you to know we couldn't do it without your help.
Please call (459-1198) to
find out how you can get involved.
