Volunteer Programs
My Backyard
Park Partner Program
Tulsa Parks encourages families, neighborhoods, civic groups,
businesses and even individuals to become involved in the
preservation and enhancement of the City of Tulsa parks system.
My Backyard program volunteers donate time and resources to give
special care to a City of Tulsa park. By adopting a park, you can
help Tulsa Parks continue to maintain, beautify, enhance and keep
our parks safe for all to enjoy.
Eligible Sites
Tulsa Parks is charged with the stewardship of more than 6,000
acres in 140 parks across the city. All are potential My Backyard
partners. If you need assistance in selecting a site, the Park
Marketing Division can work with you to identify the perfect
match!
My Backyard Activities
Your activities and the
amount of time you spend in your adopted park can vary depending on
your available time, energy, resources and the needs of the adopted
area. Tulsa Parks will still provide regular maintenance to your
adopted area, but with your help we can accomplish more.
Ways you can support your adopted park include undertaking regular
park clean-ups, maintaining plantings, weeding shrub beds,
spreading mulch on playgrounds, painting shelters or other
structures and removing graffiti.
All work should be hand-done; any heavy maintenance will be done
by the Park staff with the appropriate equipment.
Financial help is also appreciated. You can contribute to
underwrite the cost of maintenance, landscaping for a new park,
capital improvements or new equipment such as a playground.
Length of Commitment
We ask that you commit to
your park for two years. For those wanting to help with litter
control, we recommend monthly clean-ups but there is no set
schedule.
If you would prefer to provide funds for park maintenance, we
ask that you underwrite the cost to care for the park for one year.
That cost will vary from site to site. Tulsa Parks Marketing staff
can provide financial information on the park you choose.
Or, let us know how you want to support your park and we will
work with you to make it happen!
Tulsa Parks will provide trash bags for park clean ups. Let us
know when you will be cleaning the park and we will pick up the
contained trash material.
To go a step further, separate recyclable items for
collection.
Thanks for Your Help
Your community involvement is crucial in keeping our park system
clean, safe and beautiful. As our thanks to you, Tulsa Parks will
acknowledge your contribution with a sign in your designated park
and a certificate of appreciation.
By becoming a Tulsa Parks Partner you can:
- Help beautify our parks and community.
- Gain a sense of community and park pride.
- Assist in park maintenance and operation.
- Be part of the planning process.
- Help preserve our natural resources.
- Enjoy the benefits of outdoor activity.
- Help reduce crime and vandalism.
You can get an application to
become a My Backyard Park Partner, or for more information
call 596-PARK.
The City of Tulsa Park and Recreation Department's Council Oak
Awards recognize outstanding volunteer contributions to Tulsa
Parks by individuals, corporations and nonprofit
organizations.
Previous Individuals honored were Gary & Carol Berryhill,
Eleanor Davy Carmack, Keith Goddard, Bruce & Brenda Magoon, and
Susan Sinor. Previous non profit
organizations recipients have been the Pearl District
Association and the Tulsa Rose Society.
Previous Corporate Award recipients include Cox
Communications for contributions made to the Tulsa Zoo.
Established by the Tulsa Park and Recreation Board in September
1991, the Council Oak Award recognizes up to eight individuals and
organizations each year for their volunteer contributions to the
citizens of Tulsa through the programs of Tulsa Parks. Each
recipient has been nominated by a fellow citizen volunteer or
Department staff member.
The nominations for 2009 have closed. The Council Oak Awards
for 2009 will be announced soon.
