Adopt-a-Park is getting a new name and structure! Now our Park Stewardship program, updated and improved structure supports individuals and neighborhoods in making community parks welcoming, accessible, and healthy environments. In 2026, we’re piloting our new structure with select partners. To get connected to a pilot group in your neighborhood or support your local park, please contact us.
Our Park Stewardship program gives residents structure and support for building community and supporting our parks’ ecosystems! 2026 is our pilot program year, with a full launch expected in 2027.
The Friends team is working with established neighborhood association partners in 2026 to identify ideal parks to test out our new program structure!
Form “Friends of” park groups (for example, “Friends of Lincoln Park”) to organize participants and identify opportunities to care for their local park.
With support from Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, “Friends of” groups do tree plantings, park beautification projects, and more.
Our Park Stewardship program projects are grounded in supporting parks’ ecological health, removing litter, increasing tree canopy, and fostering a safe and welcoming park environment. Each “Friends of” park group will choose projects based on their group’s interest and park’s needs. Project types can include:
If you’re interested in stewarding a park in your community—even if you’re not connected to a pilot “Friends of” Park Stewardship group—we’d love to hear from you. Our team can support:
To get started, fill out the form at the bottom of this page or send us a message! We look forward to hearing from you.
If you want to help steward our local parks or would like to express interest in forming your own “Friends of” park group in 2027, please fill out the form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
