Mesa kids have a new sustainable and accessible playground. Palo Verde Park, located at 3135 S. Dobson Road, is now open after getting a major makeover. A voter approved bond issue and a park improvement grant from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) with support from Niagara Cares, the philanthropic arm of Niagara Bottling LLC made possible this brand-new children's play area.
"The improvements at Palo Verde add to the quality of our outstanding parks in the City," said Mesa Mayor John Giles. "We are grateful for the support from Niagara, NRPA and our residents for making this a reality."
Palo Verde Park has new play equipment, two shade structures, playground lighting, and additional accessibility amenities including a friendship swing, cozy dome, transfer stations, ramps and accessible playground surfacing. The surrounding area also received new benches and tables.
Opportunities to play and recreate outdoors in community spaces like Palo Verde Park are vital to connecting children and families to the natural environment, encourage physical activity and ensure the health and sustainability of our community.
"Our residents know how important outdoor gathering spaces are, and the new playground here at Palo Verde Park is proof of that," said Councilmember Francisco Heredia. "Palo Verde is important to southwest Mesa, and more kids and families will now be able to enjoy it thanks to the commitment of the City and our project partners."
Mesa is among four communities that each received park improvement grants as part of Niagara's 2020 Perk Your Park Project. The others are in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Temple, Texas and Puyallup, Washington. This is the sixth cycle of grants provided by Niagara Cares.
"Niagara is excited to give back in cities like Mesa where our Team Members live and work," said Kristen Venick, Director of Niagara Cares. "It's part of Niagara's mission to enrich the lives of youth which includes improving access to safe spaces for children and families to explore, grow and enjoy."
Several Niagara employees volunteered to help build the new playspace at Palo Verde Park on June 9. Working with Exerplay, the project contractor, the employees assembled playground equipment, put up signs and cleaned and prepped the space where the flooring and canopy shade were installed.
Along with the grant of $130,000, the remaining $350,000 for the Palo Verde Park improvements was from the voter approved 2018 Parks Bond Program.
City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department is the first parks and recreation organization in the U.S. and the world to become a Certified Autism Center, a designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).The department's mission is to contribute to a healthy and vibrant community by providing exceptional experiences and services to those who live, work and play in Mesa. We are committed to provide safe spaces and places for people to enjoy and recreate and focus on services that meet the ever-changing needs of our community.
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this vision by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates -- the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA's flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.
Niagara Cares is a philanthropic arm of Niagara Bottling, committed to supporting local and national community initiatives by engaging stakeholders and investing its resources for disadvantaged children and their families. Niagara Cares initiatives include national strategic partnerships, local community grants, employee engagement, volunteerism and the Andrew D. Peykoff, Sr. Scholarship Program. For more information, visit www.niagarawater.com/niagara-cares.
Niagara Bottling has been family owned and operated since 1963. Headquartered in Diamond Bar, CA, Niagara operates bottling facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico. As a leading beverage manufacturer in the U.S., Niagara Bottling works closely with some of the largest beverage brands, retailers, grocers, club and convenience stores throughout the country. Niagara produces a variety of beverages including bottled water, sparkling, vitamin and flavored water, teas, sports drinks, ready-to-drink coffee, protein drinks and non-dairy milk products. For more information, visit www.niagarawater.com.
Contact: Kevin Christopher
(480) 644-4699
Kevin.Christopher@mesaaz.gov