CARC in the Park
Buddy program helps keep city parks clean
The city of Lake Charles and CARC have partnered for a pilot program that gives CARC clients the chance to keep several city parks clean.
Under the CARC in the Park Buddy Program, clients spend two hours Monday through Friday picking up litter at five parks. They include Drew Park, Mary Belle Williams Park, W.H. “Buddy” Prejean Memorial Park, Lock Park and PFC 1st Class Wilford D.R. Bellard Centers.
The program began Oct. 1, with CARC clients receiving a stipend for their work. The city provides the workers with safety vests, litter grabbers and trash bags. The workers are supervised by a CARC employee.
Mayor Nic Hunter said the CARC in the Park Buddy Program is an offshoot of Partners in Parks, a program that began in July and partners public and private entities to improve park infrastructure and programs.
“We love the idea of having CARC clients feel like they are really giving back to the community,” he said. “They are just as much members of the community as everyone else.”
Hunter said the pilot program may be expanded to other parks in the city.
“This is a perfect example of a partnership between government and a local nonprofit to fill a need in our community,” he said. “We truly feel we are being innovative. This synergistic relationship is something we don’t see enough of in government.
Online: cityoflakecharles.com
Clients with CARC pick up litter at city park as part of a partnership between the city of Lake Charles and CARC. The buddy program began Oct. 1, and clients receive a stipend for their work.