Offenders sentenced to community service now have yet another option: the Adopt-a-Park programme with Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB) and the Department of Parks.

The new partnership between Court Services, Parks and KBB will allow Court Services clients to gain hands-on vocational and educational training in horticulture and the environment, a Government statement said.

The programme will focus on the Arboretum and Crow Lane Park. At the Arboretum it will involve the replanting of foliage and plants after the park suffered severe damage in Hurricane Fabian, whereas work at Crow Lane will involve picking up trash and keeping statistics on the type of litter collected, helping raise community awareness of litter-related environmental problems.

Health Minister Patrice Minors praised the stakeholders' foresight in their approach, calling the initiative symbolic of Government's continuous cooperation with the community.