CITY LAUNCHES “CLEAN & GREEN” PARK CAMPAIGN
Park & Trail cleanup projects underway this weekend

In an effort to promote volunteer support and help build healthy parks and trails, the Municipal Parks & Recreation Department has started the “Clean and Green/Safe and Secure” campaign. The program utilizes volunteers, in addition to city workers, to keep Anchorage’s parks and trails clean and safe.

Last year the Rasmuson Foundation gave the Anchorage Park Foundation a grant of $400,000 for capital improvements to parks and trails. It was the foundation’s first contribution. The Clean and Green/Safe and Secure campaign was born this spring when Parks & Recreation established criteria for spending the generous donation and $250,000 from municipal bond funds.

“Thanks to Rasmuson Foundation for leading the way, showing Anchorage what can be done with private and public resources in our system of parks and trails,” Mayor Begich said.

Projects funded with this money must be necessary, doable, have wide community support, and produce immediate visible results. The work is then carried out by volunteers, park maintenance/horticulture employees, community work service, and contractors.

There are more than two dozen projects scheduled this summer in all five of Anchorage’s park districts. They include some this Saturday:
• Lyn Ary Park is getting 300 parking barriers (bollards) painted, some gate work and a little trimming. This is done by Turnagain Community Council members and other volunteers. Work should begin about 9 am.

• Taku Park is planning for volunteers from the Abbott Loop Youth Group to paint 50 bollards. Work begins at 11am.

Parks and Recreation is recruiting volunteers for Clean and Green/Safe and Secure. If you or a group you belong to would like to make a difference in a park this summer call 343-4288. See www.AnchorageParkFoundation.org for more Clean and Green details.

Additionally, Trail Watch volunteers will be back out at Goose Lake Saturday finishing up the trail safety clean-up work started on Trails Day. They’ve done about 950 feet of trimming and clearing, and have another 1,000 or so to go. They’re meeting at 10 am and expect to work till about 1 pm.

Clean and Green Schedule as of July 22

July 23                              NW: Lyn Ary 9am
                                          C: Taku Park 11am
                                         NE: Goose Lake 9am-2pm

July 25                              NW: Minnesota Park 9 am -2pm

July 27                              NW: Valley of the Moon 1-4pm

July 30                              SW: Cutty Sark Park 10am-2pm
                                          C: Campbell Park 12-4pm

August 5                           SW: Connors Lake Park 9am-2pm

August 6                           NW: Fairview Lions Park 10am-6pm

August 9                           NW: Pop Carr Park 9am -2pm

August 24                         NW: Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park (Westchester Lagoon) afternoon

Sept. 10                           SW: Oceanview Park 10am-2pm

Sept. 11                           NW: Fairview Rec. Center

Sept 14                            DAY OF CARING PROJECTS AVAILABLE

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