Greenspace Guardians: How Stewards are Helping Preserve Local Parks
Riverside and Avondale are known for their beautiful parks and green spaces. But did you know that there is a small crew of volunteers who take time from their schedules to help maintain these little gems?
In 2019, the Parks Committee of Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) created a stewardship program that would elevate park preservation beyond the basic maintenance provided by the city.
“We established a mission to preserve the area’s 26 historic parks, just as we help preserve our historic architecture,” said Shannon Blankinship, executive director of RAP. “But we needed dedicated volunteers to make this happen.”
Parks Committee members went about recruiting residents who love their neighborhood parks. These stewards would act as the eyes and ears of each park by reporting to the city issues, such as storm damage, overgrown vegetation or overflowing trash cans. They would also pick up litter, remove invasive weeds and even plant trees and flowers. Today, there are 25 stewards nurturing each park.
“I consider this park an extension of my home and neighborhood,” said Liz Jimenez who stewards Edgewood Park #3 on Edgewood Ave. “I want it maintained and beautiful for our neighbors and everyone who visits.”
Jimenez added that she’s always been involved with the parks, but now as part of the stewardship program, has a sense of community with other like-minded volunteers.
At regular meetings hosted by RAP volunteers, stewards come together and share ideas, experiences, problems and solutions. Some stewards even host after-hour “open houses” to share their park spaces with other stewards and neighbors.
Recently, Parks Committee members have encouraged stewards to create small flower gardens below each park sign – a touch of “curb appeal” for visitors. Stewards will be reimbursed for expenses should they decide to take on this project.
“Within the confines of city-owned property, we’re hoping stewards will enhance “their” park entrances,” said Pamela Telis, Parks Committee Chair. “If a bench needs repair, a tree is down or a light is out, we hope they will call 630-CITY. If they’d like to add and maintain a butterfly garden, we’d love that too!”
In the new year, RAP’s Parks Committee plans to extend this stewardship program to other green spaces that aren’t designated as city parks, such as water-front bulkheads and tree-lined medians. These spaces fall under the city’s public works jurisdiction and typically only get attention when a resident reports a problem. Preserving these additional green spaces is important in fighting extreme surface and air temperatures and storm water runoff.
“All the beauty that draws people to our area needs to be protected,” said Blankinship. “Our stewards serve a vital role in that preservation.”
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.riversideavondale.org.
By Kim Clontz
Special Contributor
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