Press coverage.

Tyler Adams Soccer Pitch Opens in Wappinger Falls Following Community Field Restoration

The newly restored Tyler Adams Soccer Pitch at Martz Field is once again ready to serve young athletes and families in Wappinger Falls, New York.

On July 22, Project EverGreen joined Scotts®, U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team standout Tyler Adams, Every Kid Sports, the Town of Wappinger Falls and green industry partners to celebrate the completion of the community athletic field renovation. The project transformed a worn natural grass playing surface into a safe, healthy field where the next generation of athletes can play, learn and grow.

Supported through Scotts’ Keep It Real initiative, the renovation is the latest GreenCare for Communities project led by Project EverGreen. It demonstrates how collaboration across the green industry can create lasting benefits for local communities by investing in healthy green spaces.

A Homecoming for Tyler Adams

For Adams, the ribbon-cutting was more than the opening of a renovated soccer field. It was a return to the place where his own soccer journey began.

“Growing up in Wappinger, this field played an important role in shaping who I am, both as an athlete and as a person,” said Adams. “It’s meaningful to return home and see it ready for the next generation of players. Every kid deserves access to safe places to play, and I’m proud to help bring that opportunity to my hometown community.”

Following the ceremony, Adams met with local youth and families, celebrating a project that reflects his commitment to giving back to the community that helped launch his career.

Green Industry Partners Make the Project Possible

Project EverGreen coordinated the restoration alongside Scotts, Every Kid Sports, the Town of Wappinger Falls and numerous green industry partners that donated products, equipment, expertise and volunteer labor.

Contributing partners included:

Together, these organizations restored the natural grass field while demonstrating the environmental, recreational and community benefits of professionally managed landscapes.

“Projects like this demonstrate what’s possible when the green industry comes together around a common purpose,” said Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “From manufacturers and suppliers to contractors and volunteers, every partner played an important role in creating a field that will benefit local athletes and families for years to come. We’re grateful to Scotts, Tyler Adams, Every Kid Sports and everyone who helped make this transformation possible.”

Investing in Youth Sports Through Keep It Real

The Tyler Adams Soccer Pitch project is part of Scotts’ Keep It Real initiative, which helps improve access to high-quality natural grass playing fields so more children can experience the benefits of youth sports and outdoor play.

The initiative partners with organizations like Project EverGreen and Every Kid Sports to create healthier places where children can develop confidence, teamwork and lifelong memories.

“This project represents what Keep It Real is all about – investing in the places where kids can learn, grow and build confidence through playing sports,” said John Sass, senior vice president and general manager of North America at ScottsMiracle-Gro. “Seeing Tyler return home and celebrate a transformation alongside the Wappinger community makes this renovation really special.”

Continuing to Restore Community Green Spaces

The Tyler Adams Soccer Pitch follows another GreenCare for Communities renovation completed in June at the Yawkey Boys & Girls Club of Roxbury in Boston, where Project EverGreen, Scotts and industry partners restored a heavily used natural grass baseball field.

Through GreenCare for Communities, Project EverGreen continues to partner with companies throughout the green industry to restore parks, athletic fields and other public green spaces. Each project helps create healthier neighborhoods while showcasing the lasting value of professionally maintained landscapes.

 

Weed Man Launches Challenge Coin Initiative Honoring GreenCare for Troops Families

Weed Man has launched a Challenge Coin recognition initiative to honor military families participating in Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops program. A charter supporter of Project EverGreen and one of North America’s leading lawn care franchise organizations, Weed Man continues to demonstrate its long-standing commitment to those who serve. Currently, Weed Man serves 275 military families in 29 states through the program.

Rooted in military tradition, challenge coins are symbols of service, sacrifice, camaraderie, and appreciation. Select Weed Man franchisees will present a custom challenge coin to every GreenCare for Troops family they serve as a lasting reminder that their sacrifices are recognized and valued by the communities they call home.

Madison, Wisconsin-based Epic3 franchise group, which currently provides complimentary lawn care services to 102 military families across 16 states, is one of the drivers of the Challenge Coin initiative.

“Weed Man is both excited and honored to expand our partnership with Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops,” said Cam Cundiff of Epic3. “We want to do our part in giving back to the service members and families who sacrifice for our country every day, and this program allows us to do exactly that.”

Weed Man -Project EverGreen

Cam Cundiff of the Epic3 franchise group displays the custom Weed Man Challenge Coin that will be presented to GreenCare for Troops families as a symbol of gratitude and recognition for the sacrifices they make while a loved one serves our country. Epic3 currently provides complimentary lawn care services to 102 military families across 16 states.

Cundiff said they designed this challenge coin as a token of their profound respect and appreciation for deployed service members and their loved ones.

“Each family benefiting from GreenCare for Troops through an Epic3 franchise will receive a coin, letting them know we have their lawns covered while they serve and protect our country,” added Cundiff. “We hope it serves as a comforting reminder of home.”

Joe Schaffel, Weed Man franchise owner in Fort Worth, Texas, and an Army veteran said they want every family we serve to know their sacrifice matters.

“The challenge coin is a simple but meaningful way to express our gratitude and let military families know they are supported and appreciated,” said Schaffel.

“Since the beginning of GreenCare for Troops, Weed Man franchisees have stepped forward to serve military families in communities across the country,” said Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “Their commitment reflects the best of our industry by combining service, community support, and environmental stewardship. The lawns and landscapes they maintain help create healthy outdoor spaces where families can gather, children can play, and military families can enjoy a sense of normalcy while their loved ones are serving our country.”

In addition to supporting military families, the healthy lawns and landscapes maintained through GreenCare for Troops provide measurable environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, improved air quality, stormwater management, reduced urban heat, and safer outdoor environments for families.

Collectively, the properties served by Weed Man through GreenCare for Troops generate environmental benefits that include sequestering carbon, cleaning the air and creating cooler yards and homes.

During its 20th anniversary year, Project EverGreen is encouraging lawn care operators, landscape contractors, irrigation professionals, arborists, sports field managers, snow and ice professionals, and green industry suppliers to join the growing network of volunteers serving military families nationwide.

Since its inception in 2006, GreenCare for Troops has connected more than 15,000 volunteers with 20,000 military families and generated more than $20 million in donated lawn and landscape services. Today, more than 1,600 volunteers continue to serve military families across the United States, helping ease the burden of deployment one property at a time.

The need remains significant. Since the start of 2026 alone, nearly 400 military families have registered for assistance through the program. Every new volunteer helps ensure those families receive the support they deserve while a loved one serves our nation.

“As we celebrate 20 year serving military families through GreenCare for Troops, we’re reminded that the program’s success is built on the generosity of volunteers and partners like Weed Man,” Code said. “For two decades, lawn care and landscape professionals have stepped forward to support military families in a meaningful way. Their commitment continues to strengthen communities, improve outdoor spaces, and show military families that their sacrifices are appreciated.”

Join the Mission – Become a Volunteer Today!

Deployed families need support now. Be like the dedicated volunteers at Weed Man and step up with GreenCare for Troops and put your expertise to work.

The need is rising and every new volunteer means one less worry for a military family at home. GreenCare for Troops connects lawn and landscape professionals with families to provide essential services during deployment. If you’ve ever thought about giving back, this is the moment.

  • Put your skills to work
  • Support a family in your community
  • Make an immediate, meaningful impact

Join a nationwide network of professionals stepping up when it matters most. Volunteer today. Someone near you is waiting.

Sign up today

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

The Title Sponsor of the GreenCare for Troops program is Nufarm, while BOSS Snowplow proudly sponsors SnowCare for Troops.

Our Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Heritage Landscape Supply.

The Silver Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel and our Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

GreenCare for Troops is proudly endorsed by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

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