Adopt A Park

The Adopt-A-Park Program provides an opportunity for individuals, volunteer groups, neighborhood associations, and businesses to take an active role in the maintenance, improvement, and beautification of local parks, trails, and green spaces for all to enjoy. Neighbors and community groups volunteer their time to improve their assigned park. Adopters can work on a variety of projects, including planting and maintaining flower beds; maintaining trails and paths; painting and caring for park structures; cleaning up litter; planting and mulching; and generally making sure the park is in order. 

Groups wishing to Adopt-A-Park may contact Friends of the Portage Parks using the Adopt-a-Park Application. A park coordinator will work to identify an available park and create a plan customized for your group. A minimum commitment of one year, with at least four cleanups per year, will be requested. Park adopters can plan a schedule that fits their needs, but must contact the park coordinator at least one week in advance to identify any particular projects for the park to arrange for needed tools and materials and schedule trash/brush collection. 

In recognition, a sign will be placed in the assigned park with the name of the adopting group, which also serves as a visible statement of their ongoing commitment to maintaining the area as a resource for the community.

Parks Available for Adoption:

  • Parks are not available at this time

Thank you to the community sponsors who have adopted the following parks:

  • Bishop’s Bog - Ron’s Beans
  • Celery Flats Historical Area - Lake Michigan Credit Union
  • Celery Flats North - Rotary Club of Portage 
  • Central Park - Doja
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park - Upsilon Epsilon Chapter of Sigma: A Nursing Honor Society
  • Eliason Nature Reserve - North - Dave Knaebe
  • Eliason Nature Reserve - South - Eurofins Green Team
  • Gourdneck State Game Area (East) - Whisper Rock Residents
  • Harbors West Park - Bright Financial Advisors
  • Haverhill Park - Edwards Garment
  • Lexington-Green Park - Lexington-Green Neighborhood Watch
  • Lakeview Park - Cub Scouts Pack 235
  • Liberty Park - Portage Lions Club
  • Millennium Park - Katie Weyenberg
  • Oakland Drive Park - Chem Link, Inc.
  • Portage Creek Bicentennial Park - Stryker's Environmental Alliance (SEA) - Kalamazoo
  • Ramona Park - Portage Central High School Optimist Club
  • Schrier Park - Boy Scout Troop 211
  • South Westnedge Park - CRB Engineering 
  • Veterans Memorial Park - American Legion Post 207 of Portage
  • Westfield Park - Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, Troop 80396
  • West Lake Nature Preserve - The West Lake Improvement Association of Kalamazoo County, Michigan

Park Steward Program

The City of Portage Park Steward program is a great way to get outdoors and meet other people while working on a project for the community parks. Volunteers will take an active role in the maintenance, improvement, and beautification of the Portage Trail Network and green spaces for all to enjoy. These activities may include planting and maintaining flower beds; removing invasive species; maintaining the trails and paths; painting and caring for park structures; cleaning up litter; planting and mulching; and generally making sure the trail network continues to be a highlight of the park system.

Throughout the year, Portage Parks & Recreation will ask for volunteers to work in different areas of the trails as needed. These volunteers will be provided with technical expertise, materials, and tools for each activity. Park Stewards must commit to participating in the program a minimum of four times a year. People interested in joining as a Park Steward should contact Portage Parks & Recreation at (269) 329-4522.