Project EverGreen, Exmark and STMA team up for nonprofit

CLEVELAND – Project EverGreen, in partnership with Exmark Manufacturing, the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) and The Foundation for Safer Athletic Fields for Everyone, launched its second annual “Our Winning Green Space” contest. The contest runs Oct. 1 through Dec. 15.

Municipal parks and recreation departments, public works departments and nonprofit agencies can enter the contest to have a chance at winning a top-of-the-line Exmark commercial mower package, including Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn and Commercial 30 walk-behind mowers, valued at about $15,000 as well as a “Healthy Turf. Healthy Kids.” renovation project for that city.

The online submission process requires an essay and photos explaining why their city deserves the new equipment and renovated playing field, and how it will assist them in maintaining a healthier, safer area for kids to play. Submissions can be made on the Project EverGreen website here. The winner will be announced in January 2018.

“Project EverGreen is thrilled to partner with Exmark and STMA on this opportunity to raise awareness of our “Healthy Turf. Healthy Kids.” program and the importance of safe, natural grass play fields for kids,” said Cindy Code, Project EverGreen executive director. “It’s also a fun opportunity for cities to share their story and complete a field make-over.”

Last year’s winner was In Memory of Community Garden and the Warrendale Community Organization in Detroit. These two nonprofit organizations, headed by Joe and Barb Matney, work with the city to transform vacant lots into community gardens and “pocket parks.”

“We feel very blessed to have won the Project EverGreen Our Winning Green Space contest,” Barb Matney said. “The mowers have allowed us to continue to improve our community and maintain safer, more accessible and much-needed outdoor gathering spaces for Detroit residents to enjoy.”

Launched in 2015, “Healthy Turf. Healthy Kids.” has completed renovation projects covering more than 1.6 million square feet of recreational and athletic green space, generating more than $1 million in in-kind donations in East Harlem, New York; Hazlet, New Jersey; Houston; San Antonio; Round Rock, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; North Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland; Durham, North Carolina; Greensboro, North Carolina; West End, Wisconsin; Ashland, Oregon; and Minneapolis.