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Exmark Mower and Athletic Field Renovation Winners Announced02-07-17 | Association News

Exmark Mower Package and Athletic Field Renovation Winners Announced
Two Detroit Green Industry Nonprofits Win Big

The "Our Winning Green Space" contest offered municipal parks, recreation and public works departments as well as non-profit entities a chance to win a top-of-the-line Exmark Lazer Z X-Series mower package – valued at $15,000 - and a "Healthy Turf. Healthy Kids." renovation project for their city. More than a dozen municipalities and non-profit organizations submitted entries in the contest.

Project EverGreen, in partnership with Exmark Manufacturing, the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) and The Foundation for Safer Athletic Fields for Everyone (SAFE), is pleased to announce the winner of the inaugural "Our Winning Green Space" contest.

The winners are In Memory of Community Garden and the Warrendale Community Organization both in Detroit, Mich. These two non-profit organizations, headed by Joe and Barb Matney, work with the city of Detroit to transform vacant city lots into community gardens and "pocket parks."

"Project EverGreen is pleased to work with the Matnys and the Warrendale Community to bring vital green space to Detroit neighborhoods," says Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. "Turning a vacant lot into a place where kids can play, neighbors can talk and everyone can take pride in are essential to the well-being and security of any community."

These revitalized green spaces not only provide neighborhood residents with the means to create a sustainable local food supply, but establish a safe place for children to get outside to exercise and play. Creating viable green spaces in the city also contributes to an improved environmental profile lowering the urban heat island effect (turf can be up 14 degrees cooler than bare soil), removing pollutants from the air and creating a positive feeling and increased interaction among residents.

For more information on Project EverGreen visit www.ProjectEverGreen.org.