Schemmer PILOTS ADOPT-A-PARK PROGRAM
THROUGH COUNCIL BLUFFS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Council Bluffs, Iowa (September 15, 2005) – The Schemmer Associates Inc., a full-service architectural and engineering firm, is partnering with the Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation Department to pilot the Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation’s “Adopt-a-Park” program.

This program will offer new opportunities for community members and organizations to become more involved with parks, green spaces and other public properties. This is a great way for individuals and all types of organizations – civic and religious, schools, private businesses, nonprofits and corporations – to adopt an area that needs care and attention.

“Parks and Recreation is very excited that The Schemmer Associates has signed on to be our first official Adopt-a-Park partner,” says Catherine DeMasi, Recreation Superintendent of the City of Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation. “This program has been implemented in cities all over the nation, not only to assist Parks and Recreation departments during periods of leaner budgets and staff shortages, but also to recapture a feeling of ownership among community residents of their neighborhood parks. We see tremendous potential for businesses and organizations of all sizes to adopt Council Bluffs parks and trails. The benefits will be far-reaching, as the public plays an active role in maintaining cleaner, safer, more beautiful and more utilized public spaces.”

Schemmer, with headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, recently moved their Council Bluffs office to a new location at Valley View Village, 928 Valley View Drive in Council Bluffs. “We are very excited about adopting the Valley View Park and being the first to participate in this program,” says Mark Pohlmann, Transportation Manager of The Schemmer Associates. “Our company has been doing business in Council Bluffs for over five years and I think this is a great way for us to give something back to the community. We have several young professionals with new families in this office that will use the park , and so there is definitely a sense of ownership in maintaining the area. We hope that our involvement in this program will encourage others to become actively involved.”

The Valley View Park is just north of The Schemmer Associates’ new office, making it convenient for their staff to take part in this program to keep the area in great shape. Having engineers and landscape designers on staff, they take a special interest in maintaining the beautiful green spaces in their neighborhood.

For further information about the Adopt-a-Park program, contact Parks and Recreation at 328-4650 or log onto www.cbparksandrec.org.
 

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