Giving Recreational Green Space And Communities A Boost
Cleveland, Ohio--Project EverGreen, in partnership with Exmark Manufacturing, the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) and The Foundation for Safer Athletic Fields for Everyone (SAFE), launches its second annual “Our Winning Green Space” contest. The contest runs from Oct. 1 through Dec. 15, 2017.
Municipal parks and recreation departments, public works departments and non-profit agencies can enter the contest to have a chance at winning a top-of-the-line Exmark commercial mower package including Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn and Commercial 30 walk-behind mowers – valued at approximately $15,000 – as well as a “Healthy Turf. Healthy Kids.”™ renovation project for their city.
The online submission process requires an essay and photos explaining why their city deserves the new equipment and renovated playing field, and how it will assist them in maintaining a healthier, safer area for kids to play. Submissions can be made on the Project EverGreen website at http://bit.ly/2wOY4DF from October 1 through December 15, 2017, and the winner will be announced in January 2018.
“Project EverGreen is thrilled to partner with Exmark and STMA on this opportunity to raise awareness of our “Healthy Turf. Healthy Kids.” program and the importance of safe, natural grass play fields for kids,” says Cindy Code, Project EverGreen executive director. “It’s also a fun opportunity for cities to share their story and compete for a field make-over.”
Jimmy Simpson, Certified Sports Field Manager and STMA Board Member also views HTHK as a way to educate the public on the importance of safe athletic fields.
“Our partnership with HTHK helps parents, participating athletes and fans to understand that a well-maintained surface helps to protect athletes from injury,” adds Simpson. “Exmark’s generous mower package will greatly assist with essential ongoing maintenance to keep the surface safe.”
Last year’s winner was In Memory of Community Garden and the Warrendale Community Organization in Detroit, Mich. These two non-profit organizations, headed by Joe and Barb Matney, work with the City of Detroit to transform vacant city lots into community gardens and “pocket parks.”
“We feel very blessed to have won the Project Evergreen Our Winning Green Space’ Contest,” says In Memory co-founder Barb Matney. “The mowers have allowed us to continue to improve our community and maintain safer, more accessible and much-needed outdoor gathering spaces for Detroit residents enjoy.”
Launched in 2015, “Healthy Turf. Healthy Kids.” has completed renovation projects covering more than 1.6 million sq. ft. of recreational and athletic green space, generating more than $1 million in in-kind donations, in East Harlem, N.Y.; Hazlet, N.J.; Houston, San Antonio, Round Rock and Ft. Worth, Texas; North Chicago, Il.; Cleveland; Durham and Greensboro, N.C.; West End, Wisc.; Ashland, Oregon; and Minneapolis.
For more information and complete contest rules, visit www.ProjectEverGreen.org.