Agency Offices: 2643 Gateway Drive #1 • State College, PA 16801 • (814)231-3071 • Fax 814.235.7832
 

Centre Region "Park Partners"
Program Summary

Another Branch of the Gifts-For-Parks Program

The Centre Region "Park Partners" Program is an initiative by Centre Region Parks & Recreation (CRPR) started in 1998 that encourages public and private groups to assist with various improvements to municipal park areas. Volunteer projects have provided many valuable improvements to our park areas over the years such as the United Way's Day of Caring, Earth Day Park Spruce-ups each Spring, special projects and cleanups by scouting, community, and civic groups. Volunteerism is thriving in the Centre Region! The full Park Partner policy is posted HERE.

Here's a way your group can be involved in preserving the beauty of our parks:

Time & Effort...It's That Easy!
Park Partner groups may "adopt" an entire site, or a designated section or feature of a larger site, for a two-year period. At a minimum, groups are asked to plan, execute, and report on three organized group workdays per year at the selected site, with the primary interest of Spring, early-Summer, and Fall. The work days may coincide with community-wide volunteer events such as the Park Partner Day (each Spring) or the United Way Day of Caring (each Oct.). Of course, group members would also be encouraged to visit the park for impromptu spruce-ups as needed between work days. During the two-year period, the Park Partner group works with CRPR staff to help keep their park site clean, safe, and attractive. Depending on the site, the group's responsibilities may include:
• picking up litter, debris, and downed branches,
• maintaining paths and trails (such as pruning a trail corridor or spreading woodchips),
• maintaining planting beds, raking leaves, and pulling weeds,
• assisting with special programs or maintenance at that park site,
• identifying and reporting any safety hazards at the park site.

"Park Partner" Group Benefits
A sign will be posted at the selected park site which indicates the name of the group involved with the site. CRPR expects to publicize in each quarterly Leisure Guide the groups and sites currently enrolled in the Park Partner Program. In addition, each Park Partner group will be awarded a Certificate of Appreciation at the successful conclusion of the two-year period.

How Your Group Can Become A "Park Partner"
This is a great opportunity for family or group involvement. All types of organizations can work together to improve municipal parks in the Centre Region. The following groups are eligible to become a Park Partner
• small and large businesses • service groups • scout troops • school groups • activity and youth groups • church groups • environmental groups • university groups • fraternities and sororities • senior citizen groups • neighborhood associations • family groups

2008 "CRPR PARK PARTNER DAYS"

Saturday, 26 Apr 08 and Saturday, 11 Oct 08, 9 AM to Noon
Many CRPR Park Partner groups devote these two special mornings to improving "their" park for the season.
At least 3 work sessions per year are required of each group.

21 Current
Centre Region Park Partners
(as of 17 Jun 08, in alpha order)

  Current Park Partners"Hall of Fame" Partnership Dates
@ 2 yr. intervals
1 Altrusa International of Centre County
Partner Rep.: Ann McGlaughlin
Walnut Springs Park, S.C. Borough
Jan. 1999 - Dec. 2000
Sept. 2001 - Aug. 2003
Sept. 2003 - Aug. 2005
Sept. 2005 - Aug. 2007
Sept. 2007 - Aug. 2009
2

Baha'is of State College
Partner Reps.: Mark & Daphne Suchanec
Holmes-Foster Park, S.C. Borough

July 2001 - Feb. 2004
Mar. 2004 - Feb. 2006
Mar. 2006 - Feb. 2008
Mar. 2008 - Feb. 2010
3
Group
Photo
Boy Scout Troop 31
Partner Rep.: Dr. Rick Marboe
Thompson Woods Preserve, College Twp. & S. C. Borough
Apr. 2005 - Mar. 2007
Apr. 2007 - Mar. 2009
4 Boy Scout Troop 380
Partner Rep.: Ron Tomashefski
Nittany View Park, Harris Twp.
May 2001 - Apr. 2003
Aug. 2003 - Jul. 2005
Sept. 2005 - Aug. 2007
Sept. 2007 - Aug. 2009
5 Centre County Big Brother / Big Sister / JUMP
Partner Rep.: Megan Evans
Tusseyview Park, S. C. Borough
Oct. 2005 - Sep. 2007
Oct. 2007 - Sep. 2009
6 Centre County Youth Service Bureau
Partner Rep.: Theresa Kieffer
Fasick Park, Harris Twp.
Apr. 2006 - Mar. 2008
May 2008 - Apr. 2010
7 Cub Scout Pack 50
Partner Rep.: Cindy Nucciarone
Green Hollow Park, Patton Twp.
Apr. 2008 - Mar. 2010
8 Cub Scout Pack 380
Partner Rep.: Rick Ramsey
Blue Spring Park, Harris Twp.
Apr. 2000 - Mar. 2002
Jan. 2003 - Dec. 2004
Jan. 2005 - Dec. 2006
Jan. 2007 - Dec. 2008
9 Cub Scout Pack 383
Partner Rep.: John Messner  Group Photo Apr.08
High Point Park, S. C. Borough  Group Photo Oct.08
May 2004 - Apr. 2006
June 2006 - May 2008
June 2008 - May 2010
10 Graysdale Homeowners Association
Partner Rep.: Brian Walascheck, GHA President
Graysdale Park, Patton Twp.
May 2003 - Apr. 2005
May 2005 - Apr. 2007
May 2007 - Apr. 2009
11 "Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA" - Service Unit A-5
Partner Rep.: Lori Turrisi
Tom Tudek Park, Ferguson Twp.
Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2006
May 2007 - Apr. 2009
12 Master Gardeners of Centre County  
Partner Reps.: Pamela Ford & Val Zoller
Tudek Memorial Park (Butterfly Garden), Ferguson Twp.
July 2000 - June 2002
Mar. 2003 - Feb. 2005
April 2005 - March 2007
April 2007 - March 2009
13 Mothers & More
Partner Rep.: Deborah Leonori
Orchard Park, State College Borough
Apr 2007 - Mar 2009
14 Nittany Valley Charter School
Partner Rep.: Carolyn Maroncelli, CEO
Slab Cabin Park, College Twp.
Mar. 2003 - Feb. 2005
Apr. 2004 - Mar. 2007
April 2007 - Mar. 2009
15
Group
Photo
Patton Township Business Association (PTBA)
Partner Rep.: Peter K. Sorenson
Circleville Park, Patton Twp.
Apr. 2002 - Mar. 2004
May 2004 - Apr. 2006
May 2006 - Apr. 2008
May 2008 - Apr. 2010
16 Saint Andrew's Church - Middle School Youth Group
Partner Rep.: Meredith Kirby
Central Parklet, S.C. Borough
May 2000 - Apr. 2002
May 2002 - Apr. 2004
May 2004 - Apr. 2006
May 2006 - Apr. 2008
May 2008 - Apr. 2010
17 Skills of Central PA., Inc.
Partner Rep.: Karry Carr
Nittany Orchard Park, College Twp.
May 2004 - Apr. 2006
May 2006 - Apr. 2008
May 2008 - Apr. 2010 (pending)
18
Group
Photo
Starbucks (Centre County stores)
Partner Rep.: (TBA)
Woodycrest Park, Patton Twp.
May 2008 - Apr. 2010
19 State College Downtown Rotary Club
Partner Rep.: Cathleen Brown
Lederer Park, S.C. Borough
May 1999 - Apr. 2001
Oct. 2001 - Sep. 2003
Oct. 2003 - Sep. 2005
Apr. 2006 - Mar. 2008
Apr. 2008 - Mar. 2010 (pending)
20 State College Lions Youth Football Program
Partner Rep.: Jeff Garrison & Craig Herzing
Haymarket Park, Ferguson Twp.
Apr. 2006 - Mar. 2008
Apr. 2008 - Mar. 2010
21 The Second Mile
Partner Rep.: Meghan McElrone
Spring Creek Park, College Twp.
May 2004 - Apr. 2006
May 2006 - Apr. 2008
May 2008 - Apr. 2010
  Place your group's name here! Call 231-3071
Our thanks to prior Park Partners Partnership Dates
Park Forest Village Neighbors
May 1999 - Apr. 2001
Penn State Campus Ministries
Oct. 1999 - Sept. 2001
Hemlock Girl Scout Council - Service Unit A-6

Mar. 2003 - Feb. 2005

Kiwanis Club of State College

June 1999 - May 2005

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
May 2004 - Apr. 2006

Call CRPR at 231-3071 for more information on the 
Centre Region Park Partner
Program,
or click here to view the official CRPR Park Partner Policy.

CRPR is a publicly-funded, municipal agency serving 5 municipalities. © 2008 Centre Region COG & Centre Regional Recreation Authority