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September 2015 44 www.sportseventsmagazine.com t YOUTH Sports When it comes to increasing access to sports, ensuring land is preserved and ded- But so is ensuring children and teenagers have access to training and equipment, e of the opportunities sports offer or who are unable to afford programs that pr e is a look at three programs working to incr fering opportunities for oducing sports programs into inner equipment or funding r Access... Equipment... & Inspiration 3 Programs Making It Possible For Kids To Play By Marcia Bradford Recognizing that local parks are where many kids play sports or engage in recreational activities, ESPN works with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) to enhance youth sports opportunities around the United States as part of the ESPN Corporate Citizenship program. Earlier this year, ESPN awarded a $150,000 grant that was distributed to several NRPA programs, to help them purchase needed equipment, make improvements in facil- ities and help local parks expand programs that give more children the opportunity to participate in community- based sports. "Local park and recreation departments provide opportu- nities for children of all abilities and backgrounds to enjoy sports in the neighborhoods where they live," said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. "We've strategically focused our support in markets where our employees live, work and play." He said the grant will be divided between several community programs, including the South Los Angeles Girls Softball League; the Hartford, Conn., Parks Depart- ment; the Phillips Park Junior Tennis Program in Coral Gables, Fla.; Revolution Park in Charlotte, N.C.; parks and recreation programs in Bronx, N.Y.; and Givens Recreation Center and District Park in Austin, Texas. Lauren Hoffmann, director of marketing and commu- nications at NRPA, said the Access to Sports program specifcally helps expand youth sports in underserved com- munities. "These programs give kids a chance to get active, improve well-being and can inspire long-lasting healthy lifestyles. At NRPA, we believe all children should have the opportunity to experience the benefts of youth sports." Martinez pointed out that local parks are community hubs for youth sports and often are the driving force inspir- ing children of all abilities and backgrounds to be active in their neighborhoods. "This is why ESPN has teamed up with NRPA to award grants to local parks and recreation departments that im- prove and expand their youth sports programs, especially in underserved communities," he said. "ESPN is commit- ted to improving access to sports so that everyone can get involved and realize the benefts of sport. We help accom- plish that goal by working with organizations that provide better equipment, programs and places to play." He further explained that NRPA is a leader in providing valuable programs that create real impact in communities across the country. "Working together, we hope to provide more opportunities for children to safely play the sports they love in their own neighborhoods," Martinez said. n In The Park For more information, visit www.espn.go.com or www.nrpa.org The parks and rec department in Hartford, Conn., is a recipient of an ESPN grant designed to improve access to sports by providing better equipment, programs and places to play. Hartford, Conn., Parks Department