December 2016 - Parks & Recreation - 41

eas we visit through Parks Build Community is such an amazing concept and
one we at Burke support entirely. It ties
directly back to our mission to bring a
higher level of play to all children, in
all communities. "
" It is an honor and privilege to have
been part of the project at Trojan Park, a
truly national effort that brought to reality yet another Parks Build Community
initiative by NRPA, " says Sam Mendel-

From the laughter,
smiles and animated
conversations, it was
evident that Trojan Park
has already begun to
transform this resilient
community.
son, president and CEO of Greenfields
Outdoor Fitness, Inc. " Through their
persistent philanthropic efforts, NRPA
recruited many manufacturers to participate in this effort to bring a tremendously important amenity to a community
that really needed it. This is Greenfields'
fourth consecutive year, and we look forward to continuing this effort for many
years to come. "
A Bright Beginning
As if on order, a crisp, sunny day
marked Trojan Park's opening celebration on Saturday, October 8, and the
pride of the community was on full display. First on the scene was a roaming
band of drummers, whose infectious
rhythm was like a siren call, drawing
young and old from the nearby neighborhood to the park. They were soon
joined by hundreds of community
members who either participated in or
followed a parade that wound its way
from the old school to the new park.
Many in the crowd were decked in

red and black, the community's old high school colors
and, as the dignitaries
offered their remarks
to the crowd of mainly adults, the children
proceeded to enjoy every
piece of the park's new equipment. Soon, the smell of burgers and hot dogs on the grill wafted
through the air, and this once-vacant
lot, now home to a beautiful park, was
overflowing with activity. From the
laughter, smiles and animated conversations, it was evident that Trojan Park
has already begun to transform this resilient community.
The Next Community Transformation
" We invite you to join us next year in
New Orleans, Louisiana, as Parks Build
Community once again creates change
for a community, " says Tulipane.
" Over the next several months,
we will work closely with the
New Orleans Recreation
Development Commission and generous
donors to bring
this project to
life. "
The New Orleans project will feature another lot-to-park
transformation by reimagining a portion of the Lafitte
Greenway, a designated parkway in the Crescent City that will
connect underserved communities to
sports fields, playgrounds, water features
and numerous family gathering spots.
For more information about Parks Build
Community projects, visit www.nrpa.
org/parksbuildcommunity, or contact
Gina Mullins-Cohen at gcohen@nrpa.
org or by calling 703.858.2184.
Paula Jacoby-Garrett is a freelance writer
located in Las Vegas, Nevada (paula.jacoby.
garrett@gmail.com).

Children
participate in
a basketball clinic
(at top) and get a turn
playing the drums during
the Trojan Park opening
celebration.

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Parks & Recreation

December 2016 - Parks & Recreation

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