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Adopt-a-Park and Public Areas
Land Stewardship Program
 Keep Arizona Beautiful Beautiful Litter Hotline
Report litter thrown from vehicles, online or toll-free, 1-877-354-8837 (1-877-3-LITTER). Information to record:
- Vehicle license plate number and state
- Vehicle make & model
- Item littered
- Date, time, address or cross-streets, and city
What is the Adopt-a-Park & Public Areas Program?
Adopt-a-Park & Public Areas is a model litter cleanup program, implemented as a partnership between public and private sectors to address the problem of litter in our community. Tucson Clean & Beautiful (TCB) began to address this growing problem with the first Adopt-a-Park project at "A" Mountain (Sentinel Peak) on July 26, 1984. A coalition of city and county government leaders, the business community, and volunteers from community organizations joined forces. This is the original Tucson Clean & Beautiful program, and serves as our foundation in continuing to work with community volunteer groups to improve our environment and quality of life.
What Impact Do TCB Volunteer Groups Have?
Just in the past year, over 13,000 hours of volunteer community service were provided through this program - totaling over 200,000 hours since the program began! This effort, now in its third decade, has an enormous positive impact on the environmental and aesthetic quality of our public spaces, and also has saved the City of Tucson and Pima County millions of dollars in maintenance costs, freeing city & county parks and transportation staff to perform other urgent maintenance.
Sincere community commitment, involvement, and ownership of this program has made it successful. There are over 160 (and counting) locations adopted by community groups throughout the Tucson metropolitan area that are maintained by volunteers throughout the year as safe, litter-free areas for all to enjoy! With population growth in our region we need to continue working together to clean up and prevent litter, and educate the public. TCB needs community members like you to get involved to ensure increasing environmental, social and economic benefits of a cleaner community!
What Commitment is Required for Volunteer Groups?
Ongoing, recognized Adopt-a-Park & Public Areas volunteer groups are asked to commit to a minimum of twice-monthly park cleanup and monitoring, or once-monthly for street or wash projects. There is no time limit on the length of the project, as we hope your group will consider this a long-term commitment for many years to come! Many new groups are just starting projects, and a handful of dedicated groups have continued their Adopt-a-Park & Public Areas commitment for years, some since the program began in the mid-1980s!
One-time volunteer projects are also available, and we ask for groups to plan to volunteer for approximately 2-3 hours.
How far in advance should we plan our project?
New volunteer groups - whether for an ongoing project, or just for a one-day event - must return an Adopt-a-Park & Public Areas Interest Form a minimum of 2-3 weeks in advance of their intended start date. This enables Tucson Clean & Beautiful to assist in selecting a site that is appropriate for the group's preferred area of town, number of volunteers, age range, interests, etc., as well as to secure any needed supplies and approval for new projects.
Do We Get Recognized?
Yes! For ongoing projects, a volunteer group must successfully complete an evaluation period of at least three months. TCB will then arrange with the appropriate partnering agency to place a sign at the adopted site acknowledging the group's ongoing commitment to maintain the area as a litter-free resource for the community. Once the sign is placed, the group may also be recognized with a public ceremony. A Partnership Agreement is also signed by qualifying groups, solidifying the ongoing relationship between TCB, the group, and the government agency overseeing the area, to maintain the site. Groups planning one-time projects are not eligible for these types of recognition unless the project is converted to an ongoing effort and the evaluation period is completed. Ongoing groups continue to be evaluated for the effectiveness of their projects throughout the year.
A recognized community organization with a minimum of 5 interested members is required for an ongoing volunteer project to be recognized. Many types of community groups are eligible, including civic associations, schools, neighborhood associations, religious groups, military, scout groups, businesses, and other community recognized organizations & entities. Our many current volunteer groups represent a broad cross-section of the Tucson community. TCB welcomes volunteer groups of all ages and will help select an appropriate site. Please contact the TCB Adopt-a-Park & Public Areas coordinator at adoptapark@tucsonaz.gov or (520) 791-3109 for eligibility. An e-mail announcement list for community environmental events & volunteer opportunities is also available for individual volunteers, families, or informal groups who would like to assist with the many ongoing projects taking place throughout the year - or we may be able to suggest organizations that you can join efforts with on their nearby existing project.
What Supplies does TCB Provide for Volunteer Groups?
All volunteer litter cleanup projects are provided litter bags upon request, and assistance with disposal of collected litter, if disposal containers are not available near the adopted site. TCB highly recommends that volunteers bring their own leather, latex, kitchen, plastic, cloth or other gloves as appropriate to their project site to keep hands cleaner & safer. If it is a burden for a volunteer group to provide its own gloves, Tucson Clean & Beautiful maintains a limited supply of reusable leather gloves or other disposable plastic or latex gloves, available for registered volunteer groups.
For Adopt-a-Street projects, the City of Tucson requires that all volunteers wear an orange or yellow reflective vest to increase visibility. In addition, placement of an orange "Road Work Ahead" sign is required at the beginning points of streetside volunteer projects along major thoroughfares. Groups may borrow vests from TCB for as long as their project is active. Portable signs are also available for ongoing loan to year-round active groups as supplies allow, or will be loaned or placed at street project sites by TCB on a first-come, first-served basis if there are more projects than available signs.
Many community groups also prefer using litter tongs or grabbers to make litter cleanup easier. Due to a very limited supply on hand, TCB recommends that groups or individual volunteers purchase litter grabbers that suit their personal preference. Long-term loan of litter grabbers is prioritized for sites where volunteers regularly remove litter near cactus or dense vegetation (generally, two grabbers), and on a case by case basis for other groups whose sites or individual volunteer ability requires a grabber but purchase would pose a harship.
Please note: TCB is unable to coordinate or support volunteer cleanup projects taking place on privately owned residential or commercial property, or relating to citations issued by inspectors for required maintenance of private property or adjacent easements.
How Do We Conduct a Cleanup?
Volunteer groups working on approved Adopt-a-Park & Public Areas projects may organize themselves to clean up their adopted site on a schedule that suits their needs, generally 1-2 times per month depending on the site requirements. Parks especially need litter to be removed following events and holidays. Streets and Washes often need to be checked for litter after windy days. TCB does not require advance notification of cleanup events for ongoing, pre-approved volunteer projects unless coordination is necessary for supplies or additional community resources. Trash bags are available by appointment at the TCB office. Call 791-3109 at least a week in advance to make arrangements to pick up supplies, or to arrange disposal of collected litter and debris. Minors under the age of 18 years old may not attend or participate in cleanup efforts along major thoroughfares, and are restricted to projects planned at age-appropriate sites such as parks, and a limited selection of neighborhood streets and washes. Volunteers of all ages may not clean up litter directly on paved travel lanes, nor medians of major thoroughfares. Please, no pets are permitted to be brought to volunteer projects, for the safety of you and your pet, and that of other volunteers and the general public. Please notify Tucson Clean & Beautiful of any cleanup needs in these areas, or call 911 to report immediate hazards to traffic and volunteer safety.
What Responsibilities Are Required of a Designated Group Leader?
In addition to coordinating the group's volunteers and arranging for supplies and assistance within TCB guidelines, after each project he group leader is asked to submit a volunteer work report. This report record the group's volunteer hours, along with noting any maintenance issues the volunteers encounter. With timely and consistent reports representing the eyes and ears of volunteers, we can work with city and county staff to bring a site back up to our community's standards, and continue to improve the area! Group leaders must keep their volunteer reports & other required documentation current to continue receiving supplies & assistance from TCB. If reporting forms are not received on a regular basis, the group will be contacted and asked to renew their commitment or let another group adopt their site.
Where Can My Group Volunteer?
There are still many areas available to be adopted in all areas of Tucson, including more than 60 City of Tucson Parks, 65 Pima County Parks, hundreds of>City of Tucson Street and Bikeway segments, and 175 City of Tucson Wash segments.
Other public areas not listed here may also be available now or in the future through Tucson Clean & Beautiful, if the site is administered by a City of Tucson department, or Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation. Please contact the TCB Adopt-a-Park & Public Areas Program Coordinator at 791-3109 or adoptapark@tucsonaz.gov for assistance in selecting an appropriate site, or the group is welcome to suggest a site!
Additional sites not listed as being within the Tucson Clean & Beautiful Adopt-a-Park & Public Areas program may be available through programs coordinated by other Pima County metro area government jurisdictions:
Some parks, streets, washes, trails, alleyways/easements, and other amenities that can be accessed by the general public may still be the responsibility of a private property owner to maintain. Selected public facilities may also be under private maintenance contracts or have other conditions that make them unavailable for adoption through a publicly-sanctioned volunteer program. If you are interested in assisting with a private property cleanup effort, please contact the private property owner for written permission before proceeding with any cleanup and beautification efforts.
What Can We Do to Address Graffiti Concerns?
Tucson Clean & Beautiful recognizes that graffiti has an overwhelmingly negative impact on the environment and neighborhood quality of life. The organization is not directly involved in removal of graffiti, but highly encourages proactive reporting of graffiti sites for appropriate abatement or inspection. Some Tucson Clean & Beautiful Adopt-a-Park & Public Areas volunteer groups also remove graffiti at their adopted sites, however volunteer projects focusing only on graffiti are not coordinated through Tucson Clean & Beautiful. Please contact one of the following entities to report graffiti and find additional resources relating to graffiti abatement:
- To report graffiti or vandalism in progress, call 911 immediately, to reach your local police or sheriff department.
- City of Tucson Police Department Graffiti Removal Program, 792-2489. E-mail: graffiti@tucsonaz.gov - This program assists with removal of graffiti from many publicly-visible surfaces including residences, businesses, and public thoroughfares within City of Tucson limits. This program is not able to remove graffiti from certain locations including waste containers, stickers on poles, graffiti in alleys that is not publicly visible directly from a street, nor for neighborhood “sweeps” without specific addresses and locations. Please call or write for more information.
- City of South Tucson Public Works, 770-0032
Coordinates removal of graffiti within the City of South Tucson limits, approximately bounded by 26th St., I-10, 40th St. and the railroad tracks.
- Pima County "Take Action Against Graffiti" program, allows area residents to report graffiti incidents outside the City of Tucson and City of South Tucson, but including unincorporated Pima County and other towns & communities such as Catalina, Corona, Foothills, Green Valley, Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita and Vail by e-mail to: pctaag@pima.gov or 792-8224. The Towns of Marana, Oro Valley and Sahuarita may also be able to assist with limited graffiti removal within their respective town limits.
How Can I Get More Information and Sign Up My Group?
For more information, download an Adopt-a-Park and Public Areas Program Brochure in English or Spanish. To begin the process of arranging an ongoing or one-time project for your group, please fill out and return the Adopt a Park & Public Areas Interest form.
Please submit your Interest Form at least 2-3 weeks in advance of your preferred start date for ongoing projects or for a one-time event. This will allow time to meet with the group leader, select an appropriate site, secure necessary permission for site adoption, and arrange supplies and other assistance. If you are hoping to begin your project or hold a one-time project sooner, we are glad to assist with projects, as available staff time and supplies allow. Contact the TCB Adopt-a-Park coordinator for more information and assistance in arranging a project, e-mail tcb@tucsonaz.gov or call 791-3109.
Additional general guidelines are available on how to Organize a Clean-Up Project, as well as Requirements for Adopt-a-Street Projects, and Requirements for Adopt-a-Wash Projects.
Resources and Forms for Current Adopt-a-Park & Public Areas volunteer groups
What Other Resources Are Available?
- City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Department provides litter bags, rakes, shovels, and other supplies, along with roll-off dumpsters to registered neighborhood associations. The department's inspectors and programs assist with private property maintenance matters including inspection of vacant and neglected structures, illegal dumping, weeds, junk cars, improper roadside/utility pole signage and more. Call 792-2489 for more information. For illegal dumping in progress, call 911 immediately!
- City of Tucson Environmental Services provides roll-off container rental and waste disposal, for private residential and commercial property cleanup efforts. Fees apply. Additional options are also available for city and county residents and businesses; see additional listings in the TCB Reduce-Reuse-Recycle and Environmental Directory.
- City of Tucson Police Department assists with enforcement of junked or unlicensed cars parked along roadsides or easements. Please call 791-4444 for non-emergency reports.
- Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona coordinates a tool loan program for community volunteer projects. Call 577-9393 to arrange additional tools for your upcoming project.
- Tucson-Pima Arts Council provides assistance with review of murals and other public art projects which might be undertaken to beautify and improve neighborhood public areas and other community-sponsored projects. Call 624-0595 for more info.
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