More than $1.2 million awarded to 58 park and recreation agencies nationwide
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) today announced the award of 58 grants totaling more than $1.2 million in cash and in-kind support to park and recreation agencies across 25 states and the District of Columbia, accelerating efforts to expand access to high-quality youth sports opportunities. Made possible through partnerships with Musco Lighting, Nike and ESPN, the funding will help communities remove obstacles, build welcoming programs and create positive sports experiences for young people nationwide. Despite the proven benefits of youth sports, access remains uneven for many children and families. As one of the nation’s largest providers of out-of-school programming, serving more than 50 million youth each year, park and recreation agencies are uniquely positioned to close these gaps and ensure more young people can participate, belong and thrive through sports.
This investment will support new and improved sports infrastructure in seven communities, provide training for 6,000 additional coaches, and support the implementation of evidence-based strategies from NRPA’s Get Her in the Game Playbook in 10 communities, strengthening local sports systems and expanding opportunity where it is needed most.
“This investment reflects a shared belief in the transformative power of parks, recreation and youth sports,” said Kristine Stratton, president and CEO of NRPA. “These grants will accelerate progress toward more fair and welcoming sports opportunities nationwide by removing obstacles to participation and expanding access to high-quality programs. Through sports, children build confidence, connection and character — skills that they will carry with them from the playground to the classroom and beyond.”
Additional details about the awards follow below:
Supported by Musco Lighting, NRPA is providing funding to seven park and recreation agencies to increase access to sports and play. Agencies receive an in-kind donation of Musco Lighting infrastructure — such as lighting or a mini pitch — valued between $50,000 to $100,000. In addition, agencies receive a $20,000 grant to activate their infrastructure and increase participation in sports.
Agencies awarded include:
- Brunswick Parks and Recreation (Brunswick, Maine)
- City of Jersey Village (Jersey Village, Texas)
- City of Northglenn (Northglenn, Colorado)
- City of Salisbury Parks and Recreation (Salisbury, North Carolina)
- Greater Ithaca Activities Center (Ithaca, New York)
- Knox County Parks and Recreation (Knoxville, Tennessee)
- The Wave Foundation (Portland, Oregon)
“The impact NRPA has had with its youth sports initiatives is very real and can be seen in communities across the country,” said Jeff Rogers, CEO of Musco. “Closing opportunity gaps and expanding youth access to sports and recreation is something we at Musco have always believed in. We commend NRPA and all of our partners in this important work and look forward to continue building on this positive momentum.”
Powered by Nike, NRPA is supporting 10 organizations to implement activities that increase access to sports for girls. Participating agencies receive $35,000 to implement new strategies and participate in an NRPA-led Community of Practice, which provides education and networking opportunities focused on increasing access to sport, especially for girls. In addition to increasing girls’ participation in programs, the Community of Practice also will collectively advance strategies to increase the representation of women coaches.
Agencies awarded include:
- John Day Canyon City Parks and Recreation (John Day, Oregon)
- New London Recreation Department (New London, Connecticut)
- City of Casper Recreation Division (Casper, Wyoming)
- City of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Department (Chula Vista, California)
- Mundelein Park and Recreation District (Mundelein, Illinois)
- Albemarle Parks and Recreation (Albemarle, North Carolina)
- Desert Recreation District (Indio, California)
- Greater Ithaca Activities Center (Ithaca, New York)
- New Bedford Parks, Recreation, and Beaches (New Bedford, Massachusetts)
- San Francisco Recreation and Park Department “Girls Sports Division” (San Francisco, California)
“Nike is powering the future of youth sport, with the vision of a world that inspires all youth to play and achieve their greatest potential,” said Matt Geschke, senior director of Americas, Social & Community Impact, Nike. “We’re leading this work by providing quality coaching, engaging more youth in sport with a focus on girls, and helping to bring all youth onto the playing field and off the sidelines. Together with NRPA, through these grants and support of Get Her in the Game, we’re changing the game for girls and the coaches who serve them in park and recreation programs across the United States.”
Since joining the Million Coaches Challenge in 2024, NRPA has provided no-cost training to staff and volunteers so they’re equipped to support positive youth development. With support from ESPN as part of itsTake Back Sports initiative, with additional support from Nike in partnership with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, NRPA will provide no-cost training to up to 41 park and recreation agencies. NRPA will also provide $2,500 microgrants to these agencies so they can strengthen their coach development programs and support youth sports in their community. Established training partners continue to assist with the program, including the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport, How to Coach Kids, Coaching Girls, Positive Coaching Alliance, and the United States Soccer Foundation.
Agencies awarded include:
- City of San Bernardino (San Bernadino, California)
- The Greater Ithaca Activities Center (Ithaca, New York)
- Columbus Recreation and Parks Department (Columbus, Ohio)
- City of Santa Fe Springs (Santa Fe Springs, California)
- City of Gastonia Parks and Recreation Department (Gastonia, North Carolina)
- District of Columbia Parks and Recreation - Competitive Sports and Leisure Activities Division (Washington, District of Columbia)
- City of Greeley Recreation (Greeley, Colorado)
- City of Chattanooga of Parks and Outdoors - Recreation Division (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
- Desert Recreation District (Indio, California)
- Albemarle Parks and Recreation (Albemarle, North Carolina)
- Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation Foundation (Greenbelt, Maryland)
- City of New Bedford Parks, Recreation and Beaches Department (New Bedford, Massachusetts)
- City of Ontario, Recreation and Community Services Department (Ontario, California)
- South Windsor Parks and Recreation Department (South Windsor, Connecticut)
- City of West Palm Beach Department of Parks and Recreation (West Palm Beach, Florida)
- City of Menifee (Menifee, California)
- City of Salisbury Parks and Recreation (Salisbury, North Carolina)
- Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
- Lansing Parks and Recreation (Lansing, Michigan)
- Zebulon Parks and Recreation (Zebulon, North Carolina)
- Franklin County Parks and Recreation (Louisburg, North Carolina)
- Grandview Parks and Recreation (Grandview, Missouri)
- Kenneth E. Gulley Recreation Center (Bessemer, Alabama)
- City of Albuquerque (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
- City of Elsa (Elsa, Texas)
- John Day Canyon City Parks and Recreation District (John Day, Oregon)
- City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation (Des Moines, Iowa)
- Franklin Simpson Parks and Recreation (Franklin, Kentucky)
- The Syndicate Youth Sports Organization (Laveen, Arizona)
- Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government (TPCG) (Houma, Louisiana)
- Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
- Onslow County Parks and Recreation (Jacksonville, North Carolina)
- City of Goodyear (Goodyear, Arizona)
- City of Boulder Parks and Recreation (Gymnastics), (Boulder, Colorado)
- Town of Castle Rock Parks and Recreation Department (Castle Rock, Colorado)
- Radnor Township Parks and Recreation (Davids, Pennsylvania)
- Hempfield Township Parks and Recreation (Greensburg, Pennsylvania)
- City of Orlando (Orlando, Florida)
- City of San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (San Jose, California)
- Mountain Recreation Metropolitan District (Edwards, Colorado)
- Howard County Recreation and Parks (Columbia, Maryland)
“ESPN is proud to support NRPA through our Take Back Sports initiative to help agencies enhance their coach development programs and empower coaches to make meaningful impact in their communities,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “By expanding youth sports opportunities and providing quality coach training, we are confident that these coaches will foster positive, supportive environments where kids thrive.”
Since these partnerships launched in 2022, NRPA has been able to increase access to sports for 350,000 youth, train 15,000 coaches and increase youth sports participation by 13 percent with combined infrastructure improvements and system-change approaches.
Additionally, these grants will advance NRPA’s strategic plan by strengthening the Youth Sports Framework, expanding access and reducing obstacles, supporting agencies and coaches in under-resourced communities, and increasing youth participation and impact in parks and recreation nationwide.
For more info on NRPA’s Youth Sports Initiative, click here.
For more info on NRPA, visit nrpa.org.
About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 68,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and supporters — the catalysts for positive change in service of parks for all, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.