Bloomington Parks Department Seeks Ambassadors for Seven City Parks

[Submit an application to become a Park Ambassador by Feb. 28 for 2015-16.|https://docs.google.com/a/bloomington.in.gov/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEhuNFlLek1kYlR1V0lXcUFQbm16aWc6MQ]

[Broadview Park on the city's soutwest side is one of the parks in need of a Park Ambassador for 2015-16.|image:8040]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 18, 2015

For more information contact
Kim Ecenbarger, Special Services Coordinator, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, 812.349.3739 or [ecenbark@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:ecenbark@bloomington.in.gov]

Bloomington, Ind. - The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is seeking community volunteers to become ambassadors to help promote use of seven different city parks, and to serve as liaisons between park users and the city.

Parks included in the Park Ambassador program are Broadview, Bryan, Building and Trades, Butler, Olcott, and RCA Community Parks, plus Cascades Park and Skate Park.

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 by Feb. 28, and are required to go through both an interview and orientation prior to entering the program.

Selected Park Ambassadors will, through weekly visits and monthly written observations, assist the Parks and Recreation 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.

"The ideal Park Ambassador is an established community member who resides near their selected park," said Kim Ecenbarger, coordinator of the Park Ambassador program. "We've found that our best Park Ambassadors use their parks often, and are invested in the community neighborhood association or other sorts of groups."

Ecenbarger went on to add that any park user who is interested in getting more involved with their favorite park is welcome to apply to participate in the program. "It's important to note as well that Park Ambassadors are not expected to perform regular park staff duties like mowing or repair, nor do Park Ambassadors have any law enforcement role or authority."

For more information about the Park Ambassador program, or to [request a Park Ambassador application,|https://docs.google.com/a/bloomington.in.gov/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEhuNFlLek1kYlR1V0lXcUFQbm16aWc6MQ] contact Kim Ecenbarger, Special Services Coordinator, at 812.349.3739 or via e-mail at ecenbark@bloomington.in.gov.

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