2010 NFL Grassroots Awards> Download PDF version (30.80 KB) Phoenix, ArizonaRiverside Elementary School District No. 2Riverside Elementary School District (RESD) has been awarded a $200,000 grant by the NFL Grassroots Program to assist in the installation of a synthetic turf at the Riverside Stadium of Dreams and Hope. RESD’s philosophy is to create eco-friendly school sites to realize their vision of a healthy student and community centered environment. RESD has implemented core principles of green design throughout their school designs with the use of sustainable materials such as solar panels. The new stadium will be a multi-purpose, state of the art synthetic field surrounded by a 7 lane world class running track. The stadium will serve 22 school districts and over 55,000 students. The Riverside Stadium of Dreams and Hope has received strong support from the Arizona Cardinals and the local community. San Diego, CaliforniaSweetwater Union High School DistrictSweetwater Union High School District is the recipient of a $200,000 NFL Grassroots Program grant to aid in the installation of a synthetic turf field at Sweetwater High School. Sweetwater Union High School District is California’s largest secondary school district with more than 42,000 students in grades 7 to 12. The sports field at Sweetwater High is a critical community resource serving residents and hosting community sports leagues. Due to over use, the football field has been deemed unsafe. In partnership with the City of National City, Sweetwater High School’s football field will be renovated with new drainage, grading and subsurface materials to accompany the synthetic surfaced field. The field will be utilized by over 400 youth recreation football players and over 1,000 high school athletes. Sweetwater Union High School District has partnered with multiple youth recreation organizations in the community and has the support of the San Diego Chargers. San Francisco, CaliforniaSouth San Francisco Unified School DistrictSouth San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD) has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to assist in the installation of a new synthetic sports turf field at South San Francisco High School. SSFUSD was originally formed in 1866 in a one-room school house. The district has grown over the last century and currently houses approximately 9,300 students in kindergarten through grade 12. The current field at South San Francisco High School consists of grass with an old, dilapidated irrigation system. Keeping the field in usable condition is costly and time consuming and because of this, the field has not been available to the greater community. After the renovations to the field, the district will make the field available local community football leagues and the general public. The renovation of the field at South San Francisco High School has received support from the City of San Francisco and many local community groups. Atlanta, GeorgiaPark PrideThe NFL Grassroots Program awarded Park Pride a $200,000 grant to assist with the installation of a new synthetic turf at Anderson Park. Park Pride is an independent 501 (c) (3) nonprofit founded in 1989 whose mission is to lead and inspire action for parks and green space. Park Pride in partnership with the City of Atlanta will renovate the field at Anderson Park. Due to heavy rains and a high usage rate, Anderson Park was not available for much of 2010, creating a shortage of recreation space in the surrounding neighborhood. To remedy this problem, Park Pride will install a synthetic turf field at Anderson Park. The new turf will allow for increased participation from local schools and youth sports leagues. The City of Atlanta projects approximately 17,000 youth will benefit from the new turf field. The NFL Grassroots Program award will be matched with funds from the City of Atlanta. The project has the support of the Atlanta Falcons and multiple youth sports and recreation organizations as well as local schools. Chicago, IllinoisParkways FoundationParkways Foundation was awarded a $200,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to assist in financing a synthetic turf field that will replace the existing grass field at LaFollette Park. Parkways Foundation invests in Chicago’s parks to enrich communities through historic preservation, environmental initiatives, capital projects and youth/family programs. Inspired by the successful Central Park Conservancy and Prospect Park Alliance in New York City, Parkways Foundation was created in 1994 to raise private funds for park initiatives that may not otherwise receive funding. LaFollette Park is a hub of athletic activity that serves a variety of local Chicago Public Schools and youth sports leagues. Over 700 youth play in the Chicago Bears’ “Junior Bears” program, and the Inner City flag football league has played at LaFollette Park since 2000. Parkways Foundation will replace the grass field with artificial turf to better withstand the wear and tear that results from such heavy usage. New Orleans, LouisianaAlgiers Economic Development Foundation/Algiers Community FoundationAlgiers Economic Development Foundation has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to renovate Behrman Stadium with a new synthetic football field. Algiers Economic Development Foundation (AEDF) is a community based organization that has operated in Algiers for 19 years. In that time, AEDF has successfully developed, and supported businesses and community programs that have produced a more vibrant and sustainable community. Behrman Stadium is the only football facility in its district and is in need of repair. The field currently serves 110 youth football teams. In addition to the new artificial playing surface, a new drainage system will be installed. The NFL Grassroots Program grant will be matched with funding from the State of Louisiana. The stadium has received support from the City, and local community organizations. Upper Marlboro, MarylandRiverdale Baptist SchoolRiverdale Baptist School was awarded a $200,000 NFL Grassroots Grant to aid in the installation of a synthetic field at its new athletic complex. Riverdale Baptist School was established in 1971 as an extension of the Riverdale Baptist Church. It is the school’s mission to have a balanced educational program where excellence will permeate the academic, physical and social aspects of the learning atmosphere. Riverdale Baptist School new football complex will replace the existing field that lacks grass, fencing or lighting. In addition to the synthetic playing surface, the renovated field will feature lighting, a scoreboard, new locker rooms, and bleachers. The field will be home to 20 youth football teams consisting of approximately 400 local youth football players. Riverdale Baptist School has received support from the Washington Redskins and the local community. Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis Public SchoolsWith the help of a $200,000 NFL Grassroots Program grant award, Minneapolis Public Schools will install a new synthetic field at MacQuarrie Field at Washburn High School in south Minneapolis. Washburn High School is located in the south Minneapolis neighborhood known as Tangletown. MacQuarrie Field is a fixture in the community and home to not only the athletic teams at Washburn High School, but to an array of community groups. Because of constant use, and harsh weather, the current grass field is uneven with patches of exposed soil. Minneapolis Public Schools will install a synthetic playing surface to ensure a level, safe field. The new playing surface will also enable increased community access to the field. The project has the support of the Minnesota Vikings and multiple local community groups. St. Louis, MissouriPHL Inc./St. Louis Public School DistrictPHL Inc in partnership with the St. Louis Public School District has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to install a new synthetic playing surface at Gateway Institute of Technology. PHL Inc. is a not for profit Missouri corporation with a simple goal: to repair, replace, purchase, improve and build athletic facilities and equipment for public school districts in the St. Louis metropolitan area. PHL and St. Louis Public School (SLPS) will partner to rebuild the athletic facility at Gateway Institute of Technology, a SLPS high school. The field will be upgraded from a grass surface to a 11,000 square yard artificial turf, multi-configuration playing surface, accompanied by an eight-lane, 400 meter running track. In addition to being home to Gateway Institute’s athletic program, the field will also be used by local youth football leagues and camps including the St. Louis Rams’ Youth Flag Football League. The St. Louis Rams and the City of St. Louis have expressed strong support for this project. Nashua, New HampshireNashua School DistrictNashua School District was awarded a $200,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to replace the synthetic field turf at Stellos Stadium. Stellos Stadium is the home field to four high school football teams and the local Police Athletic League football teams. It also hosts over 350 youth sports events annually. The existing artificial turf field is 10 years old and needs to be replaced due to heavy usage. The NFL Grassroots Program grant will be matched with funds from the Nashua School District. The renovation of Stellos Stadium’s playing field has received strong support from the New England Patriots, and the local community. Camden, New JerseyCamden Public SchoolsThe Camden Board of Education with the aid of a $200,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program will install a new synthetic playing surface at Camden High School. Camden High School Athletic Field serves the neighborhood of Parkside and is the home field of not only Camden High School but many surrounding middle schools. Due to extreme over use, the field is now a safety hazard and field usage has declined. In partnership with the City of Camden and local individual and corporate donors, the Camden Board of Education will renovate Camden High School Athletic Field. The new athletic facility will feature a new state of the art synthetic turf field, new lighting, new plumbing and electrical systems and a renovated field house. These field improvements will impact over 1200 youth football players and provide recreational space for the surrounding community as well. The $200,000 NFL Grassroots Program grant will be matched with funds from the City of Camden. The project has the support of local non profit organizations and the Philadelphia Eagles. Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo Legacy ProjectBuffalo Legacy Project has been awarded a $200,000 NFL Grassroots Program grant to aid in the construction of a multipurpose synthetic sports field at Mulroy Park. Buffalo Legacy Project is a non-profit community based organization who is focused on designing a modern, multi-purpose field for the residents of South Buffalo. The new synthetic surface field at Mulroy Park will be part of a multiphase, multipurpose recreation and community facility that will provide athletics and health and wellness programs. The field will occupy approximately 70,000 square-feet and will be used by 2,000 youth football players. The Buffalo Bills and the City of Buffalo have expressed strong support for this project. Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati Public School DistrictThe Cincinnati Public School District will use a $200,000 NFL Grassroots Program grant award to construct a new synthetic turf football field at Woodward High School. Cincinnati Public School will build a new synthetic surface football field to serve a new technical high school that opened in 2006. The new field will be adjacent to the school and will feature an 8 lane track and 2000 spectator seats. The field will be used by elementary and middle school football teams and the community at large. The Cincinnati Bengals are long time supporters of Cincinnati Public Schools and believe that this project would greatly benefit the Woodward community. Toledo, OhioEast Toledo Junior Football League/Waite High SchoolEast Toledo Junior Football League in partnership with Waite High School has received a $100,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to renovate the grass football field at Jack Mollenkoph Stadium. The East Toledo Junior Football League was created in 1948 to teach the fundamentals of football with a primary focus on education first, athletics second. The League has remained strong for over sixty years. Today the League features 12 teams and over 700 participants. Waite High School has partnered with the East Toledo Junior Football League for the past 40 years by providing access to Mollenkoph Stadium for league football games. Mollenkoph Stadium was built in1934 and has been the home for East Toledo Junior Football League for 20 years. Waite High School and East Toledo Junior Football League are continuing their partnership in upgrading this important community asset. Waite High School has already raised match funding for the renovation project and has strong community support. Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaEnon Tabernacle Baptist ChurchEnon Tabernacle Baptist Church will use a $200,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to convert its existing grass athletic field to a synthetic surface field. Enon Tabernacle Church has over a century of service to the City of Philadelphia, expressly the Germantown, West Oak Lane and Mount Airy communities. In addition to its many family and youth based ministries, Enon hosts seven organized football teams with over 300 participants. The installation of a new synthetic playing surface will allow Enon to expand the current football program, and make the field available for various community events. Enon’s field project has the support of the Philadelphia Eagles, and local community institutions. Houston, TexasHouston Independent School DistrictHouston Independent School District has received a $50,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to assist with upgrading the bleachers, scoreboard, lights and sprinkler system at Jefferson Davis High School. Houston Independent School District is the largest urban school district in Texas and the seventh largest in the United States. Jefferson Davis High School is located in Northside Village near Downtown Houston and serves over 1500 students. The Jefferson Davis High School football field is the only football field in the Northside Village community. Currently the field is in poor condition due to constant usage and an inadequate sprinkler system. There is currently no lighting, bleachers or scoreboard. Houston Independent School District’s project to upgrade Jefferson Davis High School’s football field will allow for more after school programming and additional use by surrounding community organizations. Houston Independent School District has received support for this project from the Houston Texans, local non profit programs and community youth organizations. Richmond, VirginiaEnrichmond FoundationThe Enrichmond Foundation has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to assist with the installation of field amenities at Gillies Creek Park. The Enrichomond Foundation (the Foundation) is an independent non-profit organization established to promote parks and recreation in Richmond through citizen involvement, education and fundraising. It provides assistance and support to Richmond community-based parks and recreation programs either directly or through assistance to a network of almost 50 local grassroots organizations. Gillies Creek Park is located in the East Side area of Richmond. Gillies Creek Park is a field site for the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (DPRCF) youth football program. Despite the lack of field equipment, Gillies Creek hosted 17 games during the 2010 football season. The Foundation will install a lighted scoreboard, removable team benches, removable goalposts and fixed, handicap-accessible bleachers that seat 400 spectators. These field upgrades will allow DPRCF to expand the programming at Gillies Creek, while making the facility more accessible and attractive to the community at large. The Enrichmond Foundation has formed strong partnerships with the City of Richmond to assist with the completion of the project and has received support from a number of local community organizations. |
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