Tulsa to announce Adopt-a-Spot program to beautify city
BY KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer
Friday, November 09, 2012
11/09/12 at 6:45 AM
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The city of Tulsa will kick off its Adopt-a-Spot program Saturday with a 10 a.m. news conference at 66th Street and Mingo Road.
Asbury United Methodist Church members and city staff member will be picking up litter from a right-of-way in the neighborhood the church has adopted.
"People are always asking, 'How can I get involved in something? How can I help my city?' Well, here you go," said City Councilor Karen Gilbert, who initiated the program. "We (the city) can't do it all, so this is just that way of getting help."
Adopt-a-Spot is open to individuals, neighborhood associations, church groups - anyone who wants to help Tulsa become America's most beautiful city, Gilbert said.
Beautifying the city is one of the shared goals of the City Council and the Mayor's Office.
The Adopt-a-Spot program works like this: Individuals and groups interested in taking care of a public space - whether it be a park, a median or a right of way - can call the city's Customer Service Center or go online to complete an application.
Applicants may apply to adopt up to three areas and must commit to one, three or five years of service.
Once the application is approved, the person or group will be contacted by the city to arrange training as needed.
The city will provide a certificate of adoption as well as supplies, such as trash bags, gloves and vests.
Adopt-a-Spot participants also will receive promotional T-shirts and be recognized on the city's website.
Gilbert said the city will not be micromanaging Adopt-a-Spot participants but does ask that volunteers looking to do larger projects over a larger area - such as planting flowers or shrubs - coordinate that work with the city.
The Memorial High School junior class and the Tulsa Fire Department have already agreed to participate in the Adopt-a-Spot program, she said.
"Memorial High School is adopting the right of way on the east side of Hudson Street in front of the school," Gilbert said. "With the wind and the traffic - especially the school traffic - they get lots and lots of trash."
Firefighters, meanwhile, plan to adopt areas near their fire stations, Gilbert said.
Asbury United Methodist Church members will be picking up a right-of-way at 66th Street and Mingo Road as well as tending to a community garden.
"We are very committed to this area and the families and want to help the city of Tulsa by empowering our community," said Senior Pastor Tom Harrison. "We decided to be a part of this program because we wanted to make a difference."
Learn more about Adopt-a-Spot
For more information about the city of Tulsa's Adopt-a-Spot program and to download an application, go to tulsaworld.com/cleancity or call the city's Customer Care Center at 918-596-2100.
Original Print Headline: City to announce Adopt-a-Spot program for individuals, groups
Kevin Canfield 918-581-8313
kevin.canfield@tulsaworld.com
