“Tool Depot” Takes Off in Grand Prairie

This is a great idea. I hope more cities start doing this. I just hope you don't have to be in violation of a code before you can borrow a tool.

A free “tool borrowing” check out program offered by the City of Grand Prairie is making it as easy as possible for citizens to comply with yard maintenance and litter abatement codes. Through their Keep Grand Prairie Beautiful program, the City provides various yard and home maintenance tools, including lawn mowers, pruners, power washers, rakes, paint brushes/rollers/paint trays, shovels, and even gas-powered chainsaws and pole saws.

A resident may contact the Keep Grand Prairie Beautiful office to borrow whatever equipment they need to comply with city codes. They must sign a waiver of liability form, be trained on the equipment they borrow, and return the tool in good condition within 7 days of checking it out. The equipment must be stored in a secure location while it is in the borrower’s possession.

The Waiver of Liability states that failure to return tools will be investigated by the Police Department for potential prosecution.

In the two years this program has been in operation, Keep Grand Prairie Beautiful reports that it has been a very successful program and has helped many residents avoid code violations. Church groups or community service groups are also allowed to check out the tools for projects that benefit elderly and low-income residents, or for public projects.

For additional information on how the program operates, contact Keep Grand Prairie Beautiful at (972) 237-8152 or kgpb@gptx.org.

Environment & Development - nctcog.org