Project EverGreen helps renovate Phoenix baseball field

PHOENIX – Project EverGreen, a national nonprofit, recently teamed up with the Sports Turf Managers Association and the city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department to build a baseball field at Lindo Park in Phoenix.

Local businesses and residents additionally helped renovate the 22-acre park, which has been around for roughly half a century. Volunteers including sports field managers, lawn care professionals, landscape contractors, groundskeepers and neighborhood youth assisted with the transformation that had an estimated value in excess of $50,000.

The project started with surveying the field to determine existing and proposed elevations for the playing surface, then resulted in repairing damaged turf and rebuilding spots like the pitcher's mound and the batter's boxes. The volunteers also fertilized the 60,000-square-foot outfield turf and graded the infield surface.

“Neighborhoods deserve a healthy park or community green space that they can call their own,” said Cindy Code, the executive director of Project EverGreen. “Thriving parks create a community hub for neighbors – young and old – to connect and helps to instill pride in their community and confidence in area residents, and creates a place for adults and youth to exercise and have fun.”

STMA supported the renovation project by having more than 100 professional sport turf managers on site.

“We were thrilled to be a part of this important project and bring a well-managed and playable ballpark to a deserving community,” STMA CEO Kim Heck said. “To use our professional expertise and know-how and bring a plan like this to life is a win-win for everyone.”

Project EverGreen has renovated more than 32 community parks across the country since 2006. Last January, the city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department and community leader Muriel Smith nominated the park for a new ballfield.

A city parks and recreation department or a community group can nominate a park for revitalization. Once selected, Project EverGreen works with local businesses, community groups and volunteers to transform and sustain community green spaces.