Sixteen Parks Win Grants from The Walt Disney Company and the National Recreation and Park Association

(May 18, 2016)

During Earth Month, the public voted for parks and park projects to receive $20,000 for improvements

ASHBURN, Va. – May 18, 2016 – The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and The Walt Disney Company, including Disney Citizenship, Disney|ABC Television Group and ESPN, today announced the winners of the national Parks Build Community campaign. The initiative helps to revitalize and restore local parks and park programs. 

Throughout Earth Month in April, the public cast their votes and write-in nominations to direct grant funding for park improvement projects and programs that provide kids and families with more opportunities to get outdoors, be active and have fun. The campaign was promoted on social media, through Disney|ABC affiliates and via other Disney, ABC and ESPN properties. 

Of the 16 winners, 15 park projects were selected by popular vote and received a $20,000 grant to help make improvements or expand programs. Winning projects include community gardens, outdoor fitness centers, prairie mazes and new programming. The 16th park, the write-in winner, was Ingrando Park in Houston, TX, which will also receive a $20,000 grant to enhance its communal family space.  

“The tremendous support shown by the public for a second year during Earth Month confirms what we truly believe: that parks have immense power to make our lives and the places we live better,” said Barbara Tulipane, president and CEO of NRPA. “These grants will give parks the funds they need to create thriving gathering places where youth, families and adults can connect with nature and get active. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of The Walt Disney Company. 

 The 15 winning parks and projects, as determined by public vote, are: 

  • Austin, TX: Climbing to New Heights at the Austin Nature & Science Center
  • Brevard County, FL: Nature Explore Classroom at the Riverwalk Nature Center
  • Charlotte, NC: Bringing the Outdoors In
  • Chicago, IL: Prairie Mazes at Garfield Park Conservatory
  • Durham, NC: Hillside Park Revitalization
  • Fresno, CA: Highway City Science Center Left and Environmental Program
  • Hartford, CT: Hartford Youth Rowing on the CT River
  • Houston, TX: Fruit Orchard and Community Garden at Herman Brown Park
  • Los Angeles, CA: Toberman Baseball Program
  • Miami, FL: Ojus Park Disabilities Service Fence
  • New York, NY: Windmill Community Garden
  • Orlando, FL: Engelwood Neighborhood Center Garden
  • Philadelphia, PA: Northern Liberties Living Wall
  • San Francisco, CA: Potrero del Sol Community Garden
  • Seattle, WA: Camp Long Program

Winning projects will begin this summer, and volunteers from Disney, Disney|ABC Television Group and ESPN will lend their time to help projects come to life. 

Visit NRPA.org/BeInspired to learn more about Parks Build Community and the winning projects. Follow the progress of each project by connecting with NRPA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or search hashtags #MeetMeAtThePark, #ParksBuildCommunity and #BeInspired. 

 

About The National Recreation and Park Association

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 50,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.

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Media Contact:

Heather Williams
@NRPA_News