Carmel-by-the-Sea is a unique and quaint Village in the Forest. One of the things that makes it special are the interesting median islands and “bumpouts” that you find all over town. In fact, there are over 100 of them with more being discovered over time. As you’ll see, they come in all shapes and sizes. Even in the best of times, maintaining these median islands in excellent condition is an impossible task for the talented Public Works team. These aren’t the best of times so that’s where we, and hopefully you, come into the picture with the Median Minder program.
The Median Minder Program is a Community Engagement program that was jointly developed by Carmel Cares and the Carmel’s Public Works Department. It enables committed Carmelites to volunteer to help keep Carmel’s City-owned median islands, easements, bumpouts and paths clean and beautiful. Each “Minder” stewards a particular median island, hopefully near their home, and cleans it up and keeps it in good shape over time. This includes weeding, spreading mulch, placing boulders, planting per City guidelines drought tolerant plants and succulents, minor pruning of existing trees, occasional watering and other typical landscaping tasks. Other Minders and City staff stand ready to assist, when necessary, especially when Minders are getting their feet on the ground (pun intended) and on larger medians. We have found it fun, rewarding and a way to feel connected to the community. Here are your choices:
Median Island
Bumpout
Easement
So, now that you have received your degree in Median Minder speak, we’ll show you how the program works. It’s really quite easy!
We have taken inventory of every qualifying area in the Village, entered them into an interactive map and then transferred them into an online spreadsheet. Any area that we know is already being Minded by someone has been entered into the system so it is not available. There are others that are obviously being maintained by someone but we don’t know who they are. It is our intention to find those people and “sign them up” as “Owners”. You can view the map here. Clicking on any of the median icons will bring up information. You will notice that we have not had the time to enter all the information at this point.
You can look at the Median Minder Inventory List to find a median. Then, fill out the Median Minder Adoption Form and return it to the address on the form or scan it and send it to our Median Minder Program Manager at MedianMinder@gmail.com. Since you will be working on City property you will also need to fill out and scan or return the Liability Waiver form for each person that will be working on your median.
If you have questions about your median, please contact Program Managers Roger and Holly Wright at medianminder@gmail or call them at.
This this program is still in “soft launch” mode we are still looking for those that are already maintaining some of the median islands so don’t be disappointed if the one you want is already taken. We’ll find you another one.
General Guidelines:
The purpose of the Median Minder Program is to enhance the beauty of Carmel-by-the-Sea by improving unique areas all over our Village in the Forest. We would love for you to share your success stories and pictures so we can share them on this website and on our Facebook page. Please send us your stories and pictures to medianminder@gmail.com.
