Welcome to Anchorage’s Adopt-A-Trail program! This program recruits, trains, and supports individuals and groups who want to take an active role in keeping our trail system healthy and clean for everyone to enjoy.
How to Adopt-A-Trail?
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Select a section of trail to adopt!
Consider choosing a section of trail that you frequent regularly or that is close to home. Not sure where to adopt? Contact the volunteer coordinator at 907-343-4587 or ellen.devine@anchorageak.gov to inquire about trail options.
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Choose an adoption level and apply online!
Volunteers have the option to volunteer for free or make a donation to our volunteer program! Choose your adoption level and apply for your trail online.
Apply Online
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Orientation:Once your park is officially adopted, our volunteer coordination staff will send an orientation packet and additional information to schedule you first cleanup.
Adopt-a-Park FAQs
Who can Adopt a Trail?
Everyone is welcome! Volunteers can be community groups, organizations, neighborhood associations, faith-based organizations, youth groups, families, or any individual that want to make a difference in Anchorage and have an interest in keeping our trails safe and clean.
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Adopters under 18-years-old need a waiver signed by a parent/guardian.
What are the Adoption Levels?
Caring for our parks and trails is for everyone! We encourage volunteers to adopt for free and contribute their time and energy to keeping our green spaces beautiful. However, if you'd like to support at a higher level, your donation helps to provide tools, materials, and support to our volunteer program! Adopters will not be asked to make payment for their donation until their application has been approved.
Trail Steward (FREE)
Can’t donate? No worries! We love our volunteers no matter what and appreciate you volunteering your time to help maintain our parks and trails.
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Adoption Length: One year
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Expectations: Minimum of four cleanups/year and monitoring your trail section for safety and vandalism.
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Benefits: All standard adoption benefits (adoption vest, access to tools/supplies,an adoption sign recognizing your group after first successful cleanup).
Trail Steward ($50)
Are you a family or individual who can make a small yearly contribution? Consider adopting at a $50 level to help support our adoption programs.
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Adoption Length: One year
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Expectations: Minimum of four cleanups/year and monitoring your trail section for safety and vandalism.
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Benefits: All standard adoption benefits (adoption vest, access to tools/supplies, an adoption sign recognizing your group after first successful cleanup) as well as a custom Anchorage Parks and Trails Steward pin as a token of appreciation.
Trail Supporter ($150)
Aren't afraid of commitment and want to officially adopt your park or trail for a minimum of three years? -
Adoption Length: Three years
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Expectations:
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Minimum of four cleanups/year and monitoring your trail section for safety and vandalism.
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Plan one additional volunteer trail project! Projects can include a variety of things including invasive weed removal, soft trail improvements, or planting. All projects must be coordinated with Anchorage Parks and Recreation.
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Benefits: All standard adoption benefits (adoption vest, access to tools/supplies, an adoption sign recognizing your group after first successful cleanup) as well as a custom Anchorage Parks and Trails Supporter pin as a token of appreciation and social media recognition of your contributions!
Trail Guardian ($250 or more)
- Adoption Length: Five years
- Expectations:
- Minimum of four cleanups/year and monitoring your trail for safety and vandalism.
- Plan three additional volunteer trail project! Projects can include a variety of things including invasive weed removal, soft trail improvements, or planting. All projects must be coordinated with Anchorage Parks and Recreation.
- Benefits: All standard adoption benefits (adoption vest, access to tools/supplies, an adoption sign recognizing your group after first successful cleanup) as well as a custom Anchorage Parks and Trails Guardian pin as a token of appreciation and social media recognition of your contributions!
What is the Time Commitment?
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A minimum of a
one-year agreement that can be renewed at the end of the time period
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Volunteers are asked to complete a
minimum of four cleanups per year
What are the Expectations?
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Volunteers are expected to complete a
minimum of four cleanups per year
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Monitor your trail for safety and vandalism
- Upon appoval, Adopters can arrange additional projects including planting, painting, mulching, removing weeds, etc. To arrange additional volunteer opportunities contact the Volunteer Office at 907-343-4587.
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Report Volunteer Hours: Once you successfully adopt a park, volunteers are asked to keep track of volunteer contributions via our volunteer coordination platform,
POINT. Every hour you spend caring for our parks makes a difference, and reporting your time helps us recognize your efforts and keep our program strong.
What are the Benefits?
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Tools: With advance notice, volunteers can pick up cleanup supplies including nitrile gloves, garbage bags, garbage buckets, and litter pickers from our volunteer supply shed.
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Trash Pickup: Are you scheduling a big cleanup? Let us know and we will arrange for our maintenance crew to pick up full bags at the end of your event.
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Sign: After successfully completing your first cleanup event, we will put up an Adopt-A-Trail sign recognizing your group!
What are the Safety Guidelines?
- All volunteers must have a completed volunteer waiver. Waivers are valid for one year. Individuals under 18, must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
- Volunteers should not perform any activity outside of their physical capabilities.
- The use of power tools or motorized equipment is prohibited unless pre-authorized by Anchorage Parks and Recreation.
- Avoid picking up discarded syringes/needles
- Do not attempt to clean abandoned homeless camps as there may be hazardous materials. Instead
please report abandoned camps online.