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.