This Earth Month, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is collaborating with The Walt Disney Company, including Disney Citizenship, Disney|ABC Television Group and ESPN, to revitalize parks across the U.S. for the third year, including a park right here in Fresno. Through Meet Me At The Park, an initiative that gives back to these places that shape so much of our lives, one of three local parks will receive a $20,000 grant and Fresno residents get to choose which one.
Our local parks make Fresno a better place to live. Parks are essential to our community’s health and wellbeing as they provide safe places to get active, enjoy nature, preserve the environment and bring people together. That’s why from April 1 to April 30 Fresno residents will have the opportunity to help one of three park projects receive $20,000 in grant funding to make improvements. The projects are:
- Highway City Science Center: Meet me at the Park for Science in the Neighborhood. You can vote for this project starting April 1 by texting highway to 35350..*
- Ted C. Wills Community Center: Community Garden. You can vote for this project starting April 1 by texting tedcwills to 35350..*
- Holmes Neighborhood Center – Healthy Lifestyle Fitness Program. You can vote for this project starting April 1 by texting holmes to 35350..*
By visiting NRPA.org/BeInspired, park supporters can vote daily for their favorite park project. At the end of April, the park project with the most votes will receive grant funding. New this year, everyone who votes will be entered into a drawing for a tablet outfitted for the outdoors.
“These projects are just a small part of the community-based programming our PARCS team provides for residents of all ages,” noted Fresno Mayor Lee Brand. “We have made a commitment to improve our parks and this campaign provides much needed funding to renovate and revitalize our greenspace.”
“Supporting local parks is essential to the health and vitality of communities everywhere,” said Lori Robertson, NRPA Director of Conservation. “That’s why we are proud to collaborate with The Walt Disney Company to help fund critical park improvement projects in communities in need. We encourage everyone to join us in giving back to the places that shape so much of our lives by voting in this year’s Meet Me at the Park campaign.”
During April, a public service announcement (PSA) supporting the Meet Me at the Park campaign will be shared with audiences across Disney, including ABC Television Network, ABC-owned and affiliate stations, Freeform, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, the ABC app and other digital platforms. The PSA will also be available to view on the voting site at www.nrpa.org/beinspired. Additionally, Radio Disney will support the campaign with an on-air radio spot.
Last year, Fresno voted for Highway City Science Center to win $20,000. With that funding, the Science Center was improved and we served over 534 children and youth. This year, your vote will help improve another one of Fresno’s great parks. Nationally, more than $600,000 has been awarded to help fund local park improvement projects as part of the Meet Me At The Park campaign.
This Earth Month, show how parks revitalize your community and vote to improve local parks right here in Fresno. Encourage your friends to vote too by taking a selfie in your favorite park and using the hashtags #MeetMeAtThePark, #Parkies and #BeInspired.
For more information and to vote, visit NRPA.org/BeInspired.
*Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to 35350 to opt out and to discontinue further participation in the Promotion. Text HELP for information. If you enter via text messaging, you will receive four (4) text messages in response to your entry from an automated system. Consent is not required to buy goods and services. To view the Sponsor’s Mobile Privacy Policy, http://www.nrpa.org/About-National-Recreation-and-Park-Association/the-fine-print. To view Mobile Terms and Conditions, visit http://www.helloworld.com/terms.
About The National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of nearly 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, 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.