An Assist From Sprite And Raley’s Helps Sacramento-Area Parks Get Back in the Game
Sprite and Raley’s Partner To Refresh Northern California Basketball Courts
Area Parks Seeking Local Support To Earn Up To $10,000 In Grant Funding
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- For most of the month of April, local residents can help well-worn neighborhood basketball court in the Sacramento area transform into refreshed play spaces where teens can express all their uncontainable moves.
This spring, through the Sprite Spark Parks Project, Sprite and Raley’s are giving people an opportunity to get their local courts back in the game. Basketball courts in Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks and Modesto have been selected as six of 12 courts in Northern California and Nevada to be refreshed through the program, and local residents can show their support and raise critical funds by voting at www.SpriteSparkParks.com/raleys.
With the help of the National Recreation Parks Association, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people, Sprite and Raley’s established the program to revamp basketball courts for a total of $20,000 in grants. Each of the selected courts will receive funding based on the number of votes they earn through April 25. The first place-winner will receive $10,000; second place and third place will each receive $5,000.
The funds will be used to refurbish rims, backboards, lights, benches and playing surfaces – sparking new life to these courts.
“Our goal is to improve communities in inspired ways, and we’re partnering with Raley’s and local residents so they can lead us to basketball courts where we can make the biggest impact,” said William H. O’Brien, senior vice president and general manager of Coca-Cola Refreshments, Northwest region. “By generating support for these critically important play spaces, we’re working as a team to ensure our local youth have safe, fun places where they can get together in a positive, active way.”
"We know how important local parks are to the health and vitality of our neighborhoods. That's why Raley's is so proud to partner with Coca-Cola’s Sprite brand on this exciting effort," said Jennie Teel-Wolter, Raley's community relations manager. "We encourage all of our customers to spread the word and vote for their favorite local park!"
About the parks (based on their public websites)
Lembi Community Park in the city of Folsom
Lembi Community Park was envisioned by the community in the mid 1980’s as a 30± acre park. Today nearly 30 years later, Lembi Community Park has grown to over 50 acres and includes a wide range of park amenities for the community including: a 3-pool aquatic center, four lighted softball and baseball fields, three soccer fields, three lighted tennis courts, one lighted basketball court, picnic areas, children’s playground areas, and approximately eight acres of natural open space and trails.
Royer Park in the city of Roseville
Royer Park was established more than 65 years ago, serving as a community park in an established area of Roseville. It is part of a larger revitalization project for our downtown area. Separating the park from downtown is Dry Creek. Projected improvements for this area are to build pedestrian bridge connections across the creek from the civic center’s town square on the north side of the creek to Royer Park, located on the south side. The design of these bridges is underway with an estimated groundbreaking in 2013. Approximately 1 million annual visitors use this park for informal recreation (basketball, tennis, etc.), large corporate picnics, community special events, Music in The Park and organized soccer.
McKinley Park in the city of Sacramento
McKinley Park is one of the City’s top 3 most visited. It serves the entire City, beyond adjacent neighborhoods. It is also in a park-deficient area of the City. Its immense popularity and high use require that its amenities be refurbished and upgraded more frequently than other parks to keep them safe, usable and attractive. This park is in a long established residential area that does not generate parks capital funds from new development. Therefore, the City has to tap other sources for funds to make upgrades and repairs to this park.
Town Square Park Elk Grove
Town Square Park is a 6.2 acre park located next to the town hall. The park features include an open play area, half-court basketball, community flower garden, jogging/bike trail, picnic area/tables.
Fair Oaks Park in Fair Oaks
Fair Oaks Park is a 29.52 acre park functioning as a community park. The park itself has mature trees and has a picturesque setting. The park includes the McMillan Center, District Maintenance Facility. Fair Oaks Park has the District’s highest user rates due to the large number of amenities and the location of the park next to a major intersection (Fair Oaks Blvd. & Madison Ave.). The community surrounding the park consists of mainly families with children as a result of the park being surrounded by homes on three sides
Orchard Park in Modesto
Orchard Park is located on Lincoln Oak Drive. The amenities for this community park include two full size basketball courts, picnic areas, a soccer field and playground.
About Raley’s
Raley's is a privately-owned supermarket chain with headquarters in West Sacramento, CA. The company is including three of its four chains in the program — Raley's, Bel Air Markets and Nob Hill Foods. With a reputation for giving back to Northern California and Nevada communities for more than 75 years, Raley’s has long been known for supporting three key areas: improving the lives of children, creating healthy communities and celebrating the arts.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. The Company’s portfolio includes 15 billion dollar brands, including Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, as well as Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitamin water, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
About National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources. For more information, visit www.NRPA.org.
Editor’s note: The other parks chosen to be part of the program are: Longfellow Park in Alameda, Calif.; Metcalf Park in San Jose Calif.; Miguel Rivera Park in Reno, Nevada; Caldwell Park in Redding and Ardmore Park in Sparks, Nevada and Allan Witt Park in Fairfield, Calif.
The Coca-Cola Company
Corby Casler, 206-669-2978
ccasler@coca-cola.com
or
Raley's
Ashley
Zepernick, 916-600-1081
azeperni@raleys.com
or
for
Raley's
John Segale, 916-600-1081
jsegale@precisionpublicrelations.com
Source: The Coca-Cola Company
Released April 5, 2012