CLEVELAND, March 25, 2019 — In many urban areas, parks and playing fields are overgrown with weeds and have thinning, uneven turf or bare dirt. They are often neglected and barely usable because of unsafe playing surfaces. They do not serve the community and it shows.
Project EverGreen, a national nonprofit committed to bringing people together to make a difference in how our yards, parks and communities create a greener, healthier, cooler Earth will officially launch its Green Spaces are Cool Tour this spring in Detroit, transforming vacant residential lots into a large park the entire community can enjoy.
The tour will renovate parks and playing fields in four additional locations across the United States including New York City, Philadelphia and Fort Knox, Ky. The Phoenix park renovation took place in January.
This nationwide initiative will further Project EverGreen’s proud legacy that has improved more than one million square feet of green space in more than 50 communities across the country.
“Project EverGreen’s renovation projects create healthy local parks and playing fields, by planting grass and trees that improve air-quality allowing urban greenspaces to become the lungs of a city,” says Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “In addition, we have the experience and expertise to mobilize professionals, corporate volunteers and individuals to quickly and cost-effectively restore urban green spaces for the benefit of all.”
Research has shown a correlation between green spaces, improved air quality and carbon sequestration; reduced heat buildup and soil erosion; and rainfall retention. Access to green spaces has also shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, improve attention levels and reduce feelings of fear and anger in both adults and children.
Community green spaces have also been shown to help create closer-knit communities and improve well-being—and in doing so, increasing safety and lowering levels of vandalism.
Project EverGreen is seeking volunteers, corporate donors and advocates to join them and contribute to the renaissance of urban communities across the country.
*2019 Green Spaces Are Cool Renovation Tour
- Phoenix – January – Restored the baseball field at Lindo Park.
- Detroit – May – Will transform vacant lots into a community park in the Warrendale neighborhood.
- New York City – May – Will build and renovate community gardens on the Lower East side of Manhattan to provide neighborhood families with a place to grow fruits and vegetables, escape the heat of the city and connect with neighbors.
- Philadelphia – TBD – Will work with the city to improve vacant lots.
- Ft. Knox, Kentucky – October – Will work with the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Knox to improve youth play fields.
*The dates of the tour will be posted at www.projectevergreen.org in the coming weeks.