Project EverGreen, Mentor, Ohio, teamed up with the Sports Field Management Association, Lawrence, Kansas, and the Chatham County Parks and Recreation Department to give a Savannah, Georgia baseball field a $50,000 makeover.
Completed Jan. 17, Mother Mathilda Beasley Park’s baseball field received a number of improvements, including new turf, repaired fencing, efficient surface drainage and rebuilt pitcher’s mound and batter’s boxes/catcher’s box.
Project EverGreen works with under resourced communities to renovate and maintain public green spaces. With financial and in-kind contributions from volunteers, Project EverGreen has renovated over 50 community parks and restored 150 million square feet of healthy turf across the nation.
“Neighborhoods deserve healthy parks or community green spaces they can call their own,” says Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “And while a single group or individual cannot transform an entire park, Project EverGreen builds coalitions of businesses and individuals to make it happen. Thriving parks help to build community pride and confidence in residents and create spaces to safely exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.”
The Mother Mathilda Beasley Park renovation was performed in conjunction with SFMA’s annual conference. SFMA asked its professional sport turf manager members to help with the park’s makeover planning and improvement work.
“We are thrilled to once again be a part of this important project and bring a well-managed and playable ballpark to a deserving community,” says Kim Heck, CAE, CEO of SFMA. “To use our professional expertise and know-how and bring a plan like this to life is a win-win for everyone.”
Mother Mathilda Beasley Park, named after the first African American nun in Georgia, is managed by Chatham County. Chatham County’s Parks and Recreation staff joined the TLC effort to help improve the safety and longevity of their park.
“Our staff had a wonderful opportunity to work alongside these highly experienced sports turf maintenance professionals, and their sharing of knowledge and tricks of the trade is immeasurable,” says Steve Proper, Chatham County Parks and Recreation director.
