A joint partnership between the USTA and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) will award $250,000 in grants to fifty community parks across the nation. The 50 parks were selected from over 275 applications to receive a $5,000 grant for hiring a certified tennis professional to execute USA Tennis programs this summer.
Five of the fifty parks to receive grants are located in the USTA Southern Section. The five funded organizations include; the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board (Birmingham, AL), The Mayor & Alderman of the City of Vicksburg, MS, Salisbury Parks and Recreation (Salisbury, NC), City of Anderson Parks and Recreation (Anderson, SC), and the Newberry Parks and Recreation Department (Newberry, SC).
In help ensure the success of the program, all Tennis in the Parks grant recipients will be required to hire a tennis professional certified by either the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) or the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA); establish a USA Team Tennis youth program with a goal of attracting more than 200 kids; establish a USA Team Tennis adult program with a goal of attracting more than 50 adults; offer other group instruction or playing opportunities to increase participation at the community park; and recruit and introduce new players to the sport of tennis.
“The Tennis in the Parks program represents a marriage of the tennis industry – the USTA, NRPA, USPTA and PTR have united to grow the game,” said Kurt Kamperman, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. “All of our organizations are working together to make tennis more accessible to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds in community parks throughout the country.”
“Elevating the caliber of tennis instruction is the key to the Tennis in the Parks program,” said Kathy J. Spangler, CPRP, Marketing Director, NRPA. “The certified tennis professionals will ensure that kids and adults are properly trained in a fun and safe environment.”
The National Recreation and Park Association is a nonprofit professional and citizen association dedicated to advancing parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people. Headquartered in Ashburn, Virginia, NRPA supports the work of public, private, and non-profit recreation concerns in the areas of youth development, lifelong health, quality sports and environmental stewardship.
Below are the 50 parks that are scheduled to receive funding.
| Park | City, State | | Birmingham Park and Recreation Board | Birmingham, AL | | Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Dept | Apache Junction, AZ | | Town of Marana Parks and Recreation | Marana, AZ | | Flagstaff Parks and Recreation | Flagstaff, AZ | | City of El Cerrito Parks and Recreation Department | El Cerrito, CA | | City of Oakley | Oakley, CA | | San Jose Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services | San Jose, CA | | City of Aurora Library & Recreation Services | Aurora, CO | | City of West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | | Glenview Park District | Glenview, IL | | New Haven-Adams Township Park and Recreation | New Haven IN | | South Bend Parks and Recreation | South Bend, IN | | Great Bend Recreation Commission | Great Bend, KS | | Liberal Parks and Recreation | Liberal, KS | | Attleboro Recreation Department | Attleboro, MA | | Springfield Parks & Recreation Department | Springfield, MA | | Annapolis Parks and Recreation | Annapolis, MD | | Queen Anne's County Parks & Recreation | Centreville, MD | | City of Livonia Parks and Recreation Department | Livonia, MI | | Hannibal Parks & Recreation Department | Hannibal, MO | | City of Wentzville, Parks & Recreation Department | Wentzville, MO | | The Mayor & Aldermen of the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi | Vicksburg, MS | | Salisbury Parks and Recreation | Salisbury, NC | | Grand Island Parks & Recreation Department | Grand Island, NE | | Hamilton Township Division of Recreation | Hamilton, NJ | | Township of Willingboro Recreation Department | Willingboro, NJ | | City of Albuquerque/Parks & Recreation | Albuquerque, NM | | City of Farmington | Farmington, NM | | City of Rome, Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Community Activities | Rome, NY | | City of White Plains Recreation and Parks | White Plains, NY | | Columbus Recreation and Parks | Columbus, OH | | Louisville Recreation Department | Louisville, OH | | Greene County Recreation & Parks Department | Xenia, OH | | City of Tulsa Park and Recreation Department | Tulsa, OK | | City of Medford Parks & Recreation Department | Medford, OR | | City of Newport, Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism | Newport, RI | | South Kingstown Parks & Recreation Department | Peace Dale, RI | | City of Anderson Parks & Recreation | Anderson, SC | | Newberry Parks & Recreation Department | Newberry, SC | | City of Allen Parks and Recreation | Allen, TX | | City of College Station College | Station, TX | | City of Grapevine Parks & Recreation Department | Grapevine, TX | | Arlington Department of Recreation | Arlington, VA | | Danville Parks, Recreation & Tourism | Danville, VA | | Fredrick County Park and Recreation | Winchester, VA | | Loudoun County Parks and Recreation | Leesburg, VA | | Ellensburg Racquet & Recreation Center | Ellensburg, WA | | City of Baraboo Parks and Recreation Department | Baraboo, WI | | City East Cleveland Department of Parks & Recreation | East Cleveland, OH | | Ponce Tennis Recreation Park | Ponce, PR | |
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