Should I Pursue a Contract to Clean Local Parks

Dave B

New member
Today I was driving around my local town trying to think of ways to get business, when it hit me that our town has a lot of public parks with a lot of pavilions and walkways. I stopped at one and took an few pictures. As you can see from the attached shots, this park is in need of a lot of cleaning.

My questions are...does anyone have experience cleaning parks like this? If so, is it worth pursuing, or is it too much of a headache dealing with local gov. agencies to be worth it? How would I go about even pursing this?

Basically, I see a really big opportunity and need. I just need to know what I'm getting into and advice on how to get into it.

Thanks, as always.WP_20140815_001.jpgWP_20140815_002.jpgWP_20140815_003.jpgWP_20140815_004.jpgWP_20140815_005.jpg
 
You may be able to get the pavilion and playgrounds but I don't know too many municipalities that will do sidewalks through the park. You would need to check first if they even have that service in their budget. If not you may suggest to them they do. contact the Mayor and your alderman to let them know what you saw.
 
There area few companies that I know of doing playground cleaning. Actually sounds like a good idea. I would assume that the paperwork, insurance, rules etc etc, are the same got most city, government contracts. Promote the fact you are cleaning to create a safer more sanitary environment.
 
These kinds of projects are usually bid through an RFP process. Otherwise for smaller jobs or maybe just the 1x service for this particular park job you would have to talk to the public works or park and rec division head. Basically walk into the public works yard, where they store trucks and equipment for that particular district of Dallas, and introduce yourself to the guy in charge. Show him your pictures and many times he will have money in the budget for misc. pick up work throughout his area. Small 1x work under a certain dollar threshold the Head of Public works can ok the project and if he deems it necessary will give you the work.

You will also need all your insurances and be able to provide the city with an endorsement before starting any work.

Share with the guy in charge your ideas, maybe tell him you can help with graffiti removal or washing out the bathrooms everyone once in a while. We all started with no accounts, unless maybe you were able to buy a turn-key business with accounts already in hand. Keep pounding the pavement and something will come soon.
 
I started my journey with my local Parks Dept. by going to the directors office ( had to make appt. ), introducing myself and offered to clean two park bathrooms for free. That was Aug. of 2012. 2013 they called me and did three jobs. This year we've had 8 jobs and are in the planning stages of 2 big projects for them.

Like Ron M. says it's all about building relationships! Slowly but surely my friend.
 
Interesting information here. I am not sure I agree with it.

Every city has a threshold of how much they can spend on a project before it has to be sent out for an rfp. There is also a minimum threshold for an rfq. They also have a limit on how much they can contract to spend on their own authority.

There are some cities that will spend the money on sidewalks, although a lot of that has stopped, at least in my area, since 2007. Every city operates differently. Some have a central parks department, and others have a yard that is located a particular parks. The best way to make inroads is to find someone that is working at a park, and just ask them. They will often tell you, but if you play your cards right, they will become your advocate, and best friend, at least in a business sense.

And above all, remember, there is no money in government work. :jester:
 
IDK how it works there... but here the parks and Recs budget is slim.. most parks have associations ( baseball, football, soccer, etc)....... usually the Associations will offset the expense of beautification , capital improvements , etc through fundraisers. You should reach out to each Association board. the pic you posted showed lighting in the background, So I am assuming fields that have lights...
 
Seems like a lot of good info has already been handed out in this thread. I'd contact the Parks and Recreation Dept and find the person responsible for maintenance of the properties. Meet up with them to see if there is any interest. If there is, register with the city procurement office (assuming its a city park) and give them a quote for the job.

Find out what their threshold is for having to go out for bids. If its $3K and the job will cost $5K, see about breaking it up into two separate projects so it doesn't have to go out for bids.
 
Interesting information here. I am not sure I agree with it.

Every city has a threshold of how much they can spend on a project before it has to be sent out for an rfp. There is also a minimum threshold for an rfq. They also have a limit on how much they can contract to spend on their own authority.

There are some cities that will spend the money on sidewalks, although a lot of that has stopped, at least in my area, since 2007. Every city operates differently. Some have a central parks department, and others have a yard that is located a particular parks. The best way to make inroads is to find someone that is working at a park, and just ask them. They will often tell you, but if you play your cards right, they will become your advocate, and best friend, at least in a business sense.

And above all, remember, there is no money in government work. :jester:

no money in govment work, hahaha , like you would know. LOL
 
I've done 4 graffiti removal jobs for our local Parks Dept. in the last 2 weeks. The first one was small and I did it for free to show them that I can do graffiti removal for them. They have called me 3 times since then. They called today for graffiti removal and I ended up using the rest of the graffiti removal product I had. The good news is I made enough today to get a 5r of remover. Guess I'll be calling Ray in the morning. The Parks director is amazed at what we're able to do for them. Last year they spent $2000 in time and materials doing a graffiti removal job at the skate park. They had 5 guys out there for 3 days and still didn't get it all gone. He see's value in our service and that's what you need to show them. They are simply not set up to do what I can do for them in a timely manner.
 
I've done 4 graffiti removal jobs for our local Parks Dept. in the last 2 weeks. The first one was small and I did it for free to show them that I can do graffiti removal for them. They have called me 3 times since then. They called today for graffiti removal and I ended up using the rest of the graffiti removal product I had. The good news is I made enough today to get a 5r of remover. Guess I'll be calling Ray in the morning. The Parks director is amazed at what we're able to do for them. Last year they spent $2000 in time and materials doing a graffiti removal job at the skate park. They had 5 guys out there for 3 days and still didn't get it all gone. He see's value in our service and that's what you need to show them. They are simply not set up to do what I can do for them in a timely manner.

Nice job Rance!


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I emailed the Community Services Director, who then forwarded my email to the Parks Maintenance Manager, who responded to me today.

He stated that they will[FONT=&quot] keep me in mind when it comes to removing stains on the exterior surfaces, concrete, etc. this winter when most of the painting and cleaning projects take place.[/FONT] He then thanked me for bringing the condition of the park to his attention.

At least I got my foot in the door.
 
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