Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 03/31/1999 All articles from this issue

Los Altos' Adopt-A-Park taking root

printer friendly version

By Joanne Griffith Domingue / Town Crier Staff Writer

Mohamed Poonja came to watch his 7-year-old son Karim help plant a redwood tree in a city park.

But he left as a volunteer himself in the newest program for the city of Los Altos, called Adopt-A-Park, after he agreed to hand-water the newly planted tree.

Adopt-A-Park brings together people and parks by recruiting and training volunteers to work on neighborhood park projects, said Nancy Lippe, vice chairwoman of the city's parks and recreation commission.

Poonja thinks it's "a great idea." This 15-year resident of the city believes, "It teaches kids community spirit."

MaryAnn Kerschner, known as "the rose lady" for her volunteer work pruning city roses, said, "See? It's infectious. We already have a new volunteer."

That's exactly what Lippe hopes will happen.

She organized the March 23 tree planting at Shoup Park on University Avenue as the official kickoff for this new program.

The seed for the idea began with city Councilwoman Kris Casto, Lippe said. Then Phyllis Semple, who coordinates VEGA - volunteers enriching government action - for the city, and Lippe nurtured the idea and brought it to fruition.

"I think it's great," said Mayor Lou Becker. "It will make a difference in the parks."

Volunteers can take part in many ways, Lippe said. Some may make donations "in kind." Like Daryl and Deane Furuichi of Los Altos Nursery, who donated the 24-inch boxed redwood tree for the kickoff planting.

It wasn't just any redwood tree. It's a sequoia sempervirens, said Brian McCarthy, parks supervisor with the city's public works department, a species indigenous to Los Altos. "This is the first one in a park," he said.

Henry and Sue Nesmith of Los Altos Hardware donated the rakes and gloves used by the workers to plant the tree. Village Copy Center donated the paper and copying for 200 brochures.

Some may not have the time to work on a project but still want to take part. Terri Couture and her husband Fred Tuerk adopted Montclaire Park for six months by giving $250 for flowers or mulch or special additions there.

Others, like Kerschner and Poonja, give time. Lippe had blue T-shirts printed with an Adopt-A-Park logo for volunteers to wear.

That way others will know they "are official," Lippe said, as they prune and plant.

"It's a neat concept," McCarthy said. "It's always nice to have citizens involved."

For more information or to volunteer, call Phyllis Semple, 948-1491, ext. 229.