Parks Build Community ThumbnailNRPA collaborated with The Walt Disney Company, including Disney Citizenship, Disney|ABC Television Group and ESPN, during Earth Month to expand the Meet Me at the Park initiative by providing 16 communities with resources to improve local parks through projects that connect kids to nature, inspire kids and families to live healthier lifestyles, and increase kids’ access to sports.

Throughout April 2015 the public was invited to nominate their favorite community park anywhere across the United States to be entered into a random drawing for $20,000, as well as, vote on park improvement projects in 15 designated communities to help determine which project also received $20,000. Check out the winners below and see the total collective impact that was made!

 

Community Impacts

  • 163,613 total people impacted by Meet Me at the Park projects
  • 25,811 people connected with nature
  • 3,155 people have improved access to healthy food
  • 54,329 people have improved access to physical activity
  • 34,330 people have improved access to sports
  • 606 volunteers helped bring these projects to life

 

Community Winners

California: Fresno

Be Inspired CA FresnoThe City of Fresno Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services provided opportunities for informal hands-on learning for low-income urban youth to increase awareness and interest in the natural world through field trips, activities and presentations.

 

California: Los Angeles

 

Be Inspired CA Los AngelesIn Los Angeles the Department of Recreation and Parks was able to reopen a splash pad at Sylmar Recreation Center in need of repairs by using their grant to install a new controller mechanism.

 

California: San Francisco

Be Inspired CA San FranciscoSan Francisco Recreation and Parks made upgrades at Bernal Heights Community garden, including carpentry repairs, tree pruning, installation of a drip irrigation system and more.

 

Connecticut: Hartford

Be Inspired CT HartfordHartford Parks and Recreation Department regraded and resurfaced three basketball courts at Keney Park, complete with new hoops and backboards.

 

Florida: Brevard County

Be Inspired FL BrevardBrevard County Parks and Recreation constructed a new outdoor screened nature pavilion to serve as an outdoor classroom and activity center at Pine Island Conservation Area.

 

Florida: Miami-Dade

Be Inspired FL MiamiMiami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces created a new community garden at Goulds Park, including an irrigation system, planter beds and fencing.

 

Florida: Orlando

Be Inspired FL OrlandoAt Bill Frederick Park, the City of Orlando Parks established an interactive nature trail with gardening, action and wildlife identification stations.

 

Illinois: Chicago

Be Inspired IL ChicagoThe Chicago Park District built an outdoor classroom pavilion and other improvements at Community Roots Demonstration Garden in Chicago’s Skinner Park.

 

New York: New York

Be Inspired NY New YorkNew York City Department of Parks and Recreation constructed a new solar-powered outdoor classroom space at Mott Hall Bridges Academy Living Laboratory Community Garden.

 

North Carolina: Charlotte

Be Inspired NC CharlotteIn Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department established a new community garden at Druid Hills Park, complete with 15 garden plots, fencing and water infrastructure.

 

North Carolina: Durham

Be Inspired NC DurhamDurham Parks and Recreation installed new nature-themed play equipment and upgraded the nature trail at Holt School Road Park.

 

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia

Be Inspired PA PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia Parks and Recreation removed concrete surfacing and added a shade structure to create a new “green” space for gardening and nature appreciation within the inner-city Glavin Playground.

 

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia

Be Inspired PA Philadelphia BenchPennypack Environmental Center was the random drawing winner, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation used this funding to make improvements to the picnic area and pathways leading to the trails.

 

Texas: Austin

Be Inspired TX AustinIn Austin, the $20,000 Parks Build Community grant enabled Austin Parks and Recreation Department to resurface the very popular basketball court at Battle Bend Park and install new backboards, rims and lighting.

 

Texas: Houston

Be Inspired TX HoustonHouston Parks and Recreation Department created a new half-mile loop nature trail at Herman Brown Park, including seating and native plantings.

 

Washington: Seattle

Be Inspired WA SeattleSeattle Parks and Recreation used their grant to establish the Rainier Vista Youth Environmental Leadership Institute, a 6-week youth employment program involving work in urban agriculture, trail maintenance and forest ecology, and leadership building.

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