Disney Donates $1M to NRPA for Park Improvements

The Walt Disney Company has committed $1 million to the National Recreation and Park Association, which will go toward projects to increase access to play spaces in local parks for children and families.

NRPA plans on distributing the money in increments of $30,000 to 25 communities across the country. 

The grantees join the ranks of 50 park improvement projects funded through the Meet Me at the Park Play Spaces grant program.

“NRPA is proud to award these cities and agencies with grant funding that will support increased access to play and physical activity in cities nationwide,” said Kellie May, NRPA vice president of programs, in a press release. “We thank The Walt Disney Company for its commitment to this cause. Its ongoing support is essential to the work we do, especially with children and families who don’t have access to quality play spaces, and to our vision that everyone deserves a great park.”

As part of The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to healthy living, Meet Me at the Park has brought the fun of parks and recreation to children and families across the United States since 2014. This program is part of NRPA and Disney’s commitment to provide 1 million kids and families with greater access to play — ensuring everyone has a safe place to play, learn and live a healthier lifestyle.

The 25 grantee communities include:

• City of King Cove, Alaska —King Cove Playground
• City of Eureka, California — Clara May Berry Park/Humboldt County Library
• City of Morgan Hill, California — Galvan Park
• Hayward, California —Mia’s Dream Come True/Tennyson Park
• Los Angeles County, California —Mobile Play in South Los Angeles
• San Francisco, California — Alice Chalmers Playground
• City of New Britain, Connecticut —Stanley Quarter Park
• City of Homestead, Florida —Losner Park
• City of Orlando, Florida —Lorna Doone Park Inclusive Playground Project
• Wheeling, Illinois — Mobile playground
• City of South Bend, Indiana — Revitalization of Howard Park
• City of Garden City, Kansas — Harold Long Park
• City of Belmont, North Carolina — Linford Park inclusive playground
• Durham, North Carolina —Burton Park playground
• Scotland County, North Carolina — Washington Park Playground Makeover
• Borough of Audubon, New Jersey — Recreation Center Park
• New York City, New York — Fitness Mobile
• Lincoln City, Oregon — nature play area
• City of Brownsville, Texas — Inclusion Caboose Project in Linear Park
• City of Nolanville, Texas — Monarch Park
• Houston, Texas — Clark Park soccer field
• Chesterfield County, Virginia — Mobile playground
• Hopewell, Virginia — Kings Court Playground renovation
• City of Kent, Washington — Meridian Glenn Park Playground
• Winnebago County, Wisconsin — The Natural Way/Winnebago County Community Park