Adopt-a-Road Program

Thank you for your interest in the Polk County Adopt-A-Road program. The County encourages business, family, civic, youth and non-profit organizations to adopt an area of roadway for litter control. The program allows citizens to demonstrate community pride, make a positive statement for a clean and attractive community and help the County to keep costs down.

Application:

Any individual or group interested in participating in the Adopt-A-Road Program must contact the office to verify road availability. After a road has been selected, please fill out an Adopt-a-Road Request Form and an Adopt-A-Road Liability Release Form  (both may be downloaded from the Supporting Documents below) and return it to the Public Works Department for consideration.

Responsibilities:

1. Each group must have an appointed authorized representative to act on behalf of the group. That representative shall:

• Ensure each person participating in the program has reviewed and will comply with all Safety Rules as outlined.
• Return or arrange to return all borrowed safety vests, signs, flags and unused bags to the Public Works Office.
• Sign a Liability Release (which may be downloaded from the Supporting Documents below) for the group and its participants.
• Act as the contact person for the group and keep Polk County updated on group participation in the program.
• Ensure all participants between the ages of 12 - 17 have signed a Parental Consent Form (which may be downloaded from the Supporting Documents below) before participating.
• Provide a first-aid kit and adequate drinking water for all participants.

2. Each group must accomplish at least two litter pickups per year. Polk County will schedule two cleanup days per year during the spring and fall (usually the first Saturdays in May and October), and will arrange for garbage collection for those scheduled cleanup days. Adoptees will be notified by letter approximately one month in advance. If a group does not participate in a scheduled cleanup day, they are responsible for the disposal of the garbage. Groups can take recyclable items with them for the groups' benefit, but Polk County does not offer recycling as part of the cleanup.

Supplies Provided:

Polk County Public Works will provide the following items:

• Litter patrol signs
• Safety vests
• Hazardous material flags
• Bags for collecting garbage
• Safety information

For more information, please contact the Public Works Office at (503) 623-9287.