Adopt a Road for Kevin

Kevin chose to make a difference in the lives of others by becoming an organ donor.  We are choosing to make a difference for Howard County citizens by "adopting” a county road, helping to maintain a clean environment.

We are adopting Cedar Lane (from Route 32 to Hickory Ridge Road in Columbia)

Dates of scheduled clean-ups are as follows:

Who can participate?
Volunteers of the Kevin Ryan’s Gift Adopt–A–Road Program must be a minimum of 12 years old. All Volunteers must sign a Waiver Form. Click here for Waiver Form  Parental Permission of Minor Form must be signed for volunteers under age 18.  Click here for Parental Permission Form  Fax or email the signed waiver to 410-531-1823 or adoptaroad4kevin@comcast.net .

What am I expected to do?
Litter will be collected from our adopted road a minimum of four times a year with a major clean-up each spring.  You may sign up to volunteer for one or more scheduled cleanups.

What materials do I need?
Howard County will provide us with portable safety warning signs, safety vests, and plastic bags for use during clean up activities.

Following three clean-ups within a six-month period, a sign will be posted in the area in memory of Kevin Ryan.

A reminder email will be sent in advance of the scheduled clean-up date to those who sign up.  We will meet at 10:00 AM in the parking lot of the Giant Food store on Cedar Lane for instructions then return to the same location after the clean-up is complete.
 

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Howard County Adopt-A-Road Program

Clean-Up Safety Procedures and

Group Leader’s Guidelines for Participation 

CLEAN-UP SAFETY PROCEDURES 

1. All participants must be aware that working along a public road may be hazardous and strict adherence to these procedures is required.
2. Groups with members less than 16 years of age must be supervised by adults 18 years or older (1 adult for every 5 participants under age 16).  All participants MUST BE AT LEAST 12 YEARS OLD.
3. Large groups should be divided into teams of 12 or fewer members.  A Team Leader must be designated for each team.
4. Clean up attire should consist of light-colored clothing, pants, shirts with long-sleeves, bright colored hats, heavy gloves, and sturdy soled footwear.
5. Litter pick up may be performed only during daylight hours and in good weather conditions.  Avoid peak traffic hours (prior to 9 am and after 4 pm).  Abandon activity in the event that weather turns inclement during a clean up.
6. After reviewing Clean Up and Safety Procedures, participants should car pool when possible, to the clean up area.  Park as far off the road as possible and in a safe area.  Be sure to lock your car.
7. Group members must arrive on site wearing their orange safety vests at all times during the clean-up.
8. Upon arrival at your designated section of road, you must affix the safety warning signs to the Adopt-A-Road signs.  Remove the safety warning signs at the end of the clean up activity.
9. Teams must work facing oncoming traffic at all times.  Stay away from construction sites, county maintenance activities, bridges, ramps, intersections, and any other hazardous areas.  Be aware that some dogs are very protective of their property.
10. Clean up activities should be performed off the roadway only.  Avoid performing clean up activities in the roadway itself.
11. Appoint a spotter to observe traffic conditions when working near the roadway or a narrow shoulder.
12. If emergency vehicles come into your area, remember that cars will be pulling onto the shoulder area to let them pass.  Move out of their way in advance and give them room.
13. Trash bags should be overfilled.  Tie bags securely using the top portion of the bag.  Place bags beside shoulder where they will not be hit.
14. Never pick up or handle discarded needles or syringes, car batteries, animal carcasses, potentially dangerous/hazardous materials, or any object that appears questionable.  Team Leaders should report these items to the Group Leader, who in turn should include this on the clean up activity report under “additional remarks or findings”.
15. Alcoholic beverages and drugs are prohibited at all times.
16. Never distract motorists with horseplay or abrupt, erratic movements.
17. Team Leaders (along with the Group Leader) are responsible for ensuring compliance with Clean Up and Safety Procedures.  In addition, they are responsible for posting and retrieving the warning signs, assigning spotters where necessary, and reporting hazardous materials to the Group Leader.
18. The Group Leader should discuss the following:

• The location of the nearest hospital and first aid kit

• Hazards observed along the clean up route

• Drinking plenty of fluids and sun protection

• Avoiding poisonous plants

• And other hazards that may be encountered.

Program Requirements 

The Department of Public Works Adopt-A-Road Program is open to civic, business or church groups, families or individuals located or residing within Howard County. 

Participants must be a minimum of 12 years old.  Groups with participants less than 16 years old must be supervised by an adult at least 18 years of age.  At least one adult is required for every 5 participants less than 16 years old. 

Groups are requested to adopt a 1-3 mile section of county road for a minimum of 2 years. 

You may request a specific section of road from our current list of roads that need assistance with litter pick up.  Roads will be assigned on a first-come-, first-serve basis – whichever agreement is received first. 

Other roads may be considered for adoption, pending approval of the highways supervisor.  Roads will only be selected and approved for adoption if: 

1)      littler is a reoccurring problem,

2)      there are no safety issues (i.e. narrow or no shoulder, limited site distance, etc.).

3)      road is between 1-3 miles.

4)      road is considered safe for volunteers. 

Your first clean up event must occur within 30 days of your signed agreement. 

Although the program requires 4 minimum pick up events per year (with a major clean during the spring), your adopted road should be monitored closely for litter control.  Additional clean ups may be required to keep your road clean and litter free. 

Adopt-A-Road signs including your organization’s name will be installed at each end of the adopted sections, after 3 successful clean ups have taken place (within a 6 month period).  Of the group fails to provide the requested number of clean ups per year, the signs will be removed and the road will become available for adoption. 

The Department of Public Works will provide each volunteer group with portable safety warning signs, safety vests and plastic trash (and recycling) bags for use during clean up activities. 

A designated group leader is required for Adopt-A-Road Volunteer organizations.  The group leader will serve as the liaison with the Howard County Department of Public Works Adopt-A-Road Coordinator.  The Group Leader will be responsible for signing the adoption agreement, volunteer waiver forms, scheduling clean up dates, checking out and returning safety gear, completion and submittal of clean up reports and ensuring compliance with clean up and safety procedures. 

HELPFUL HINTS 

In planning your scheduled clean up dates, a “rain date” is recommended in the event of rain or inclement weather. 

After your clean up, bags of trash and other debris should be placed near the adopt-a-road signs.  A work crew will pick up the trash within 1-3 workdays after the clean up. 

You may want to use plastic grocery bags with handles during your clean up, placing the smaller bags in the large trash bags for ease of collection. 

Cameras are helpful to document the source of litter. 

Complete your clean up report immediately following your cleanup and mail, fax or email your report to the Adopt-A-Road Program Coordinator.  Contact your assigned highways shop if  trash needs to be picked up.