News Release

Tucson, Arizina — Project EverGreen, the national nonprofit devoted to creating a greener, healthier, cooler Earth; SiteOne Landscape Supply, City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Department, community residents and a talented group of dedicated landscape professionals are teaming up on September 21 at the City of Tucson’s Kennedy Park to give the community park a well-deserved sprucing up.

 More than 100 hundred volunteers including lawn and landscape professionals participating in SiteOne’s 23^rd Annual Women in Green Conference, industry suppliers and local residents will collaborate to deliver much needed repairs to the park’s turf playing surfaces, playgrounds and infrastructure to restore it into a vibrant neighborhood hub where amateur athletes can safely compete, children can play on a cool surface and neighbors can gather and relax.

“The goal of the WIGI conference is to help women grow in the green industry, so we are thrilled to partner with Project EverGreen to extend their mission while allowing attendees to learn from one another and better the Tucson community,” says Amber Baker, conference organizer and division marketing manager, west for SiteOne Landscape Supply.

Through collaboration with volunteers across the country, revitalization of public parks and green spaces is possible, and Project EverGreen and its partners are leading the way.

“Neighborhoods deserve a healthy community park and green space that they can call their own,” says Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “Thriving parks create a community hub for neighbors – young and old – to meet and connect in a healthy, cool environment. Healthy green spaces also help instill community pride and confidence and establish a safe environment for a vibrant neighborhood.

Kennedy Park, one of more than 128 parks across Tucson, is a source of great pride for neighborhood residents. It serves as a connection point for new and old residents as they bond over community green spaces and other neighborhood activities, while promoting the health and environmental benefits that come with green spaces.

The Kennedy Park project will cover 4.7 of the spacious 20-acre park. The volunteer work includes:

• Replacement of more than 100 irrigation heads and installation and programing of a new controller to more effectively and efficiently manage the park’s irrigation system. Irrigation materials will be generously donated by Hunter Industries, Rain Master, Corona Tools and SiteOne.
• Applying a low-impact fertilization treatment to promote turf growth and prevent harmful weeds and disease on the park’s turf.
• Painting the parks benches so visitors have a pleasant place to sit and relax while connecting with friends and family.
• Cleaning up desert debris.

This area of Kennedy Park, which is three parks in one, is considered the busiest because it’s away from the hustle and bustle of the other portions of the diverse park. The work done by Project EverGreen, SiteOne and volunteers is spurring the city to further enhance the park through the addition of a new playground and freshly painted bathrooms.

According to Mike Hayes, deputy director, Tucson parks and recreation, the project is pushing the city’s renovation efforts forward and is a win/win for the entire neighborhood.

“On behalf of all of your new friends at Tucson Parks and Recreation, I want to welcome Project EverGreen’s awesome volunteers to Kennedy Park,” says Brent Dennis, director, Tucson Parks and Recreation. “The donation of valuable skills, energetic enthusiasm and transformative improvements will truly help create a greener, healthier and more beautiful park for our community to enjoy. Three cheers for Project EverGreen, SiteOne and its volunteers!”

Since 2006, Project EverGreen has renovated more than 50 community parks totaling 100,000 acres across the country as part of its GreenCare for Communities initiative.