The City of Bemidji has 225 acres of Parks, Trails and Public Space. There are 23 parks in our city and miles of trails. In moving towards “City as a Park”, Bemidji has re-developed several of its cornerstone parks and added amenities to other neighborhood parks. Changes will also be in the near future for Library Park and Paul Bunyan Park.
It takes a lot of time and effort by our Park and Rec department to keep these parks looking pristine. With only a few full time staff and some summer help, it is a challenge just to keep up with the mowing. They take a lot of pride in maintaining our numerous parks but there is only so much they can do.
The city of Bemidji started a program a few years ago called “Park Partners”. This program is a partnership between Bemidji Parks and Recreation and citizen volunteers to maintain a clean, green and safe parks system which includes parks, trails and public space. Volunteers agree to regularly pick up litter and maybe some landscaping and weeding. Each park has various needs.
The Park and Rec department can help your group select a park, trail or other public space to adopt or you can choose your own. There may be more than one steward group in any area. The more the better! Individuals, community groups and businesses agree to care for a park for at least one year. Once you have agreed to be a Park Partner volunteer, you will be assigned a Parks and Recreation staff member to be your main contact.
We have a lot of great parks and trails in Bemidji that could use some help in keeping them clean. Help keep Bemidji, ”City as a Park”.
To Become a Park Partner, or to find out more information, Contact Lolly Randall at the Parks and Rec Department at 333-1850.
VOLUNTEER BEMIDJI!
