Municipalities Can Enter “Our Winning Green Space” Contest to Win a Exmark Lazer Z-X Series Mower Package and
Athletic Field Renovation Project

America’s parks and recreational green spaces need a pick me up, and Project EverGreen has its sights set on providing just that with its “Healthy Turf. Healthy Kids.”™ Initiative.

Project EverGreen, in partnership with Exmark Manufacturing, the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) and The Foundation for Safer Athletic Fields for Everyone (SAFE) is sponsoring the “Our Winning Green Space” contest to give Parks & Recreation and Public Works departments a chance to win a top-of-the-line Exmark Lazer Z X-Series mower package – valued at $15,000 – and a “Healthy Turf. Healthy Kids.” renovation project for their city.

Municipalities can submit an essay and photos online declaring 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 at www.ProjectEverGreen.org from September 12 through November 1, 2016, and the winner will be announced in early December.

“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, grass play fields for kids,” said 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.”

Since the program’s inception in 2015, “Healthy Turf. Healthy Kids.” has renovated more than 607,000 sq. ft. of athletic and recreational greens spaces in Atlanta, Cleveland, Milwaukee; North Chicago, Ill.; Belle Plaine, Minn.; Greensboro and Durham, North Carolina, and San Antonio, Ft. Worth and Round Rock, Texas. Additional projects are planned this year for Red Bank, New Jersey; Detroit; and Portland, Oregon.

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, field users and fans to understand that a well-maintained field helps to protect athletes from injury. Exmark’s generous mower package will greatly assist with essential ongoing maintenance to keep the field safe.”

For more information and to enter the contest VISIT

Project EverGreen Note: This article originally appeared in the Post-Bulletin on August 29, 2016.

They’re called pocket parks, and those little pieces of green space can seemingly appear out of nowhere when rounding an unfamiliar corner in many downtowns. They sit between buildings, providing respite from concrete and asphalt.

One of Rochester’s prime examples, Harwick Courtyard, popped into conversation unexpectedly last week as Jeff Bolton, chairman of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency Board and chief administrative officer of Mayo Clinic, presented ongoing Discovery Square efforts to the DMC Corp. Board.

Amid talk of what could be up to 2 million square feet of Mayo Clinic development aimed to attract new research partners in what has been called DMC’s economic engine, Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede asked about the small park: “Is there going to be any attention to that, either to retain or create green space in the midst of all that building that may go on?”

Bolton quickly offered reassurance. While much of his planned comments were about attracting new development to fill the clinic’s 35 percent of the district, he noted green space has been part of the conversation and should have been part of his planned presentation.
“The idea of green space is a critical part of anywhere people are going to come together,” he said. “Green space — I think everyone on the board knows — is very important.”

That importance goes beyond creating places for people to meet. Green space also provides healthy options for breaks during hectic days and offers environmental connections amid towers of brick and mortar. It simply makes any city better.

That’s why we’re glad to hear the commitment to green space. As Bolton noted, much of what Mayo Clinic owns in the district, which primarily sits between Third Street Southwest and Sixth Street Southwest from Broadway to Fifth Avenue, is covered with parking lots. In its current state, much of the property doesn’t engage the pedestrian or offer inviting views.

Those parking lots, however, will likely make ideal building sites. We also hope parts of them will be considered for the creating inviting places for people to come together, whether it’s new pocket parks or something grander.

The downtown core already has limited park space, and the walk from one to another can be daunting for those with mobility issues. The idea of creating relaxing areas in addition to Central Park, Mayo Park and Soldiers Field Park needs to stay part of any development plan.

That’s why we’re glad to hear it pop up out of nowhere during last week’s DMCC board meeting and be welcomed with encouraging words.
We trust those words will sprout more opportunities for green space as development continues.

For more information on Project EverGreen’s programs that promote the economic, social and lifestyle benefits of managed green spaces, visit www.ProjectEverGreen.org

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Project EverGreen, Exmark and Sports Turf Managers Association Join Forces To Raise Profile of “Healthy Turf. Healthy Kids.”™ Initiative

Our View: Green Space is Critical to Development