Countywide : Parks, Facilities Put Up for ‘Adoption’

Hoping to keep parks and buildings well-maintained in a year of tight budgets, Orange County officials are taking a page from Caltrans’ Adopt-a-Highway program.

Instead of raising fees or taxes, county officials are asking residents to help collect trash at county parks, paint over graffiti-marked public buildings and maintain nature trails.

Under the “Adopt-a-Facility” program approved last week by the Board of Supervisors, service organizations and groups of individuals can volunteer to take over light maintenance duties at various county properties.

The concept is modeled after the California Department of Transportation’s successful “Adopt-a-Highway” program, in which companies and individuals adopt and keep clean small stretches of freeway. Since its inception four years ago, the highway program has saved the state more than $1 million in freeway maintenance costs, according to a county staff report.

County officials are hoping for similar results with their program. But they insist that saving money is just one benefit.

“I think even more significant than the financial savings is the satisfaction of the people who get involved,” said Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez. “I think one of the positive sides of this is the sense of accomplishment people get when they are responsible for a facility that serves the public interest in Orange County.”

Already, several groups of mountain bikers and equestrians have unofficially adopted riding trails at several parks, picking up litter and keeping the trails clear of debris.

Officials are still hammering out the details of how the “Adopt-a-Facility” program will operate.

The first adoptions will likely take place at county parks, where interest from visitors appears to be strong.

“We don’t want them to do any heavy construction work,” said John Mosqueda, volunteer coordinator for the county’s Harbors, Beaches and Parks Department. “We just want them to maintain what we have and keep the area clean.”

Mosqueda said the county will train volunteers and provide them with equipment.

Those who volunteer will be recognized for their efforts. They will likely receive pins, and their names will probably be listed at kiosks placed at each park.