Park Ambassador Program Launched
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2011
For more information contact
Kim Ecenbarger, Special Services Coordinator, City of Bloomington
Parks and Recreation Department, (812) 349-3739 or ecenbark@bloomington.in.gov
Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department announced it will pilot a Park Ambassador Program in seven city parks this year.
The Department is seeking community volunteers to become ambassadors to help promote use of the parks, and to serve as a liaison between park users and the Department.
The Park Ambassador position requires a one-year commitment to a selected park. Prospective ambassadors must submit an application to the Parks and Recreation Department, and are required to go through both an interview and orientation prior to entering the program.
Parks included in the pilot program are Broadview, Bryan, Building Trades, Lower Cascades, Olcott, RCA and the Skate Park.
Park Ambassadors at these parks will, through weekly visits and monthly written observations, assist the Department with general maintenance. Park Ambassadors will also provide a presence in these parks to deter vandalism and encourage community members to take a proactive approach in maintaining the integrity and intended uses of parks and green space.
"We want our Park Ambassadors to be a source of information," said operations division coordinator Barb Dunbar, who is coordinating the program. "Our ambassadors will be our on-the-ground connection between us and the parks, and can help us better respond to park issues." She added that Park Ambassadors will not be expected to perform regular park staff duties (e.g. mowing or repair), nor will ambassadors have law enforcement authority.
For more information about the Park Ambassador program, or to request a Park Ambassador application, contact Kim Ecenbarger, Special Services Coordinator, at (812) 349-3739 or via e-mail at ecenbark@bloomington.in.gov.
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