This summer, Coca-Cola is rallying people to cast a “swing vote” for their favorite park candidate. Beginning today, slides, park swings, see-saws and open play spaces all stand to benefit in the third-annual America Is Your Park campaign. With the click of a button, park goers can change their communities by voting for their favorite park to win the title of “America’s Favorite Park.” Also at stake is a $100,000 recreation grant made possible by the Coca-Cola Live Positively initiative.
“Parks are the anchors of our communities, but budget cuts have left them with little funds for restoration,” said Celeste Bottorff, Vice President, Living Well, Coca-Cola North America. “Through the Coca-Cola America Is Your Park campaign, a small action today can turn your favorite park into a better place to play tomorrow. So whether it’s an evening walk or a day of family fun, get out and play in the park and vote to help your favorite win.”
Voting for “America’s Favorite Park” is easy! Park lovers can visit LivePositively.com/parks to earn one vote per click for their favorite park. People can also earn 100 votes each time they “check in” from the park. More details on how to vote from the park are available on the website.
The three parks that receive the most votes by July 15, 2012 will be awarded recreation grants in the following amounts: First Place $100,000; Second Place $50,000; and Third Place $25,000. In addition, a $15,000 grant will be awarded at random to another park that places in one of the remaining top 25 spots. These recreation grants are provided to help restore, rebuild or enhance activity areas in parks where people can play and be active.
The Story of Last Year’s Winner Inspires Communities in 2012
It takes a community to save a park! The 2011 winner, Oak Park, is a great example of a community that banded together to rock the park vote. After a flood destroyed this beloved park in the small town of Minot, ND, residents organized to get out the vote. They urged neighbors to join in, organized voting drives and spread their message through online communities. Hometown celebrities also energized their social networks, and their fans responded by supporting the cause. The $100,000 grant is being used to help rebuild the park so families can enjoy the outdoors once again.
“Residents of Minot pulled out all the stops to get people involved,” said Ron Bieri, Minot Park Board President. “America Is Your Park inspired our entire town to come together to turn a terrible situation into a story of hope for people here and across the country.”
This year, Coca-Cola is making it simple for park enthusiasts to rally their communities around their favorite park. America Is Your Park campaign materials and other information are available for download at LivePositively.com/parks.
The America Is Your Park campaign was developed in collaboration with the National Park Foundation, America's State Parks and the National Recreation and Park Association.
