Ward Parks and Recreation Director Karen Dawson invites the public to nominate the city to win a $20,000 grant for its parks from the Walt Disney Co.
The nomination period starts Saturday and continues through the end of the month. Nominations can be made online at NRPA.org/BeInspired.
The city with the most nominations will win the grant. Everyone who nominates a city will be entered into a drawing for a tablet computer outfitted for the outdoors.
The contest is called “Meet Me at the Park” and is a collaboration between the National Recreation and Park Association and Walt Disney and aims to revitalize and restore parks across the country.
“Local parks make Ward a better place to live and shape so many of our lives. Parks are essential to our city’s health and wellbeing. They provide safe places to be active and enjoy nature—and they help preserve the environment and bring people together,” Dawson said in the announcement.
“That’s why from April 1 to April 30, Ward residents will have the opportunity to nominate our city to receive $20,000 in grant funding to make improvements at a local park,” Dawson continued.
“Ward’s park and recreation programs continue to grow. This year alone, we have seen a 14 percent increase in the number of participants who have signed up for spring sports. $20,000 would go a long way in supporting our park and recreation program,” she said.
“This Earth Month, Ward can show what parks mean to our community by nominating our great city. Encourage your friends to nominate our city by taking a selfie in your favorite park and using the hashtags #MeetMeAtThePark, #Parkies and #BeInspired,” the announcement said.
For more information, visit www.wardparksandrec.com or call Dawson at 501-843-7686 or email dawsonwardparksandrec@cityofward.com.
