Adopt-A-Trail Program

The Adopt-A-Trail program encourages community responsibility for our environment through scheduled litter cleanups. This program is a year-long commitment (with the option to extend) where organizations, groups, businesses, families, and individuals (18 years of age and older) agree to participate in a minimum of 6 cleanups a year.

We appreciate your interest in keeping Raleigh clean!

I frequently hike or bike Raleigh’s wonderful greenway system. Seeing litter, graffiti, or overgrown vegetation on the trail reduces enjoyment of the greenway. I adopted a nearby trail to ensure a good greenway experience for my neighbors and to give back to the city parks department that provided this amenity. I encourage others to volunteer to keep our parks looking their best.

-Veteran Adopt-A-Trail Volunteer

Trails to Adopt/How to Adopt

Do you love walking the greenway trails? Want to find a location close to your home or office? Use the map below to locate nearby greenway trails. The map shows what trails are:

Available
Under construction
Already adopted

Click the icon in the top right corner of the map to view the legend.

After selecting an available trail below, complete this registration form to adopt a mile of trail. *This program is currently closed for new applicants until further notice.

Program Requirements

After selecting a section of trail our staff will reach out to you to complete an application & background check to get you started.
Once you and your location has been approved, you’ll sign an agreement & release form.
Schedule your cleanup dates with the staff.
Report your hours after each cleanup.

Note: It is the responsibility of a group's point of contact to notify our office of any changes within their group as it affects their adoption (i.e. changes in primary contact, phone number, email, address, etc.). Failure to notify the office of any changes may result in termination of your adoption.

* The Volunteer Services Team shall coordinate, review, and approve the proposed area of adoption. If there is a question of safety or health, the proposed adoption will not be approved.

2 people in safety vests with bags and litter grabbers walking on a bridge

Cleaning up your trail

You'll be the eyes and ears of the trail. You will help us by collecting litter, identifying broken, missing items and structures along the trail.

Before starting a clean up please review the Adopt A Trail Safety Reminders sheet.
Staff will pick up bags or large items for you after each cleanup if it can’t fit in a receptacle. Please send in a pickup request in your report with location or picture.
After completing please report your hours here.

Helpful tools
If you see something needing repair or maintenance
Please contact the greenway maintenance staff at 919-996-4115 or by email or report it on Ask Raleigh .
If you see graffiti
Report it on the Ask Raleigh website.
Stay informed of greenway closures, detours, and alerts!
Want Greenway Alert Emails or Texts? You can sign up to receive an email or text message to stay up to date on greenway alerts. To sign up, visit MyRaleigh Subscriptions for online registration or by text message here.
Greenway Parking Locations
The Capital Area Greenway System is served by over 4,000 parking spaces located in lots and on-street across the City. When walking or biking isn't an option to reach the greenway, use our parking locations.
Know the Greenway Rules and Etiquette
View Greenway Rules and Safety Information

One-time Cleanups

smiling woman with trash bags and safety vest

Interested in hosting a cleanup but can’t commit to a year-long program? Work with our staff to schedule a cleanup at any City of Raleigh Park or Greenway. Locations requests may change based on the size of your group or the needs of the location. Please allow at least a month to schedule in advance.

*Cleanup supplies (pickup sticks, gloves & bags) may be available for group sizes under 15*

Other Greenway Volunteer Opportunities

Learn about volunteering with the Raleigh Police Department or Raleigh Stormwater to help create safer and cleaner greenway trails.
Greenway Volunteer Program
Stormwater Volunteering

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Adopt-A-Trail Program

Jump To:

Trails to Adopt/How to Adopt

Program Requirements

Cleaning up your trail

If you see something needing repair or maintenance

If you see graffiti

Stay informed of greenway closures, detours, and alerts!

Greenway Parking Locations

Know the Greenway Rules and Etiquette

One-time Cleanups

Other Greenway Volunteer Opportunities

Contact

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