News Flash

The help of Roswell residents is needed to try to land a $20,000 grant to improve one of the community’s parks. If Roswell can win the grant money, it will be used to upgrade and provide additional educational signage about the animals and plants found at the Spring River Park and Zoo, as well as improve landscaping along the zoo’s pathways.

For the fourth year in a row, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is collaborating with The Walt Disney Company to help fund local park improvement projects across the country through the national “Meet Me at the Park” campaign during Earth Month, which is April. The city that receives the most nominations will receive a $20,000 grant to improve a local park.

From April 1 to April 30, Roswell residents will have the opportunity to nominate their city to receive the grant money. By visiting NRPA.org/Disney, local park supporters can nominate Roswell. At the end of April, the city with the most nominations will receive the grant funding. The winners will be publicly announced June 1. Everyone who nominates a city will be entered into a drawing for a GoPro Prize Pack.

There are 15 “designated communities,” each of which will have their residents voting for a specific park project within their city. These are large cities such as Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle. Roswell will compete for the grant in a separate category in which people nominate their city. The city with the most nominations gets the money for its park project.

“The Parks Department supports greenspace within the City of Roswell and we are looking forward to updates,” City of Roswell Parks and Recreation Department Director James Burress said about the potential opportunity to enhance the Spring River Park and Zoo.

Roswell’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains 32 city parks and ballfields, as well as Nancy Lopez Golf Course at Spring River, Spring River Park and Zoo, and South Park Cemetery. The department also takes care of 11.2 miles of walking trails. In all, Roswell’s Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for approximately 980 acres of outdoor recreational property. Nationally, cities average one park per 2,277 people and 9.5 acres per 1,000 residents. Roswell betters that by having one park per 1,562 people and 19.6 acres per 1,000 residents.

Parks are essential to the health and wellbeing of Roswell’s citizens. They provide safe places to be active and enjoy nature, and they help preserve the environment and bring people together.

“At NRPA we believe everyone deserves a great park. That’s why we’re proud to collaborate with The Walt Disney Company on this campaign,” said Lori Robertson, NRPA director of conservation. “Everyone is encouraged to join us in giving back to the places that shape so much of our lives by participating in this year’s campaign. A nomination for your favorite park is all it takes.” 

Beginning April 1, visit NRPA.org/Disney for more information and to nominate Roswell. Follow the instructions to learn how to nominate Roswell. Each person is allowed to make a nomination once a day. As Roswell residents nominate the community each day, they are also encouraged to share the program website with friends – whether they live in Roswell or elsewhere – and ask them to nominate Roswell.

The Virginia-based National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.NRPA.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.