And The Winner Is…Kokomo!

The call for action went out… and Kokomo responded!  As reported in the article Sprite Parks Project Announces Kokomo As A National Finalist; Kokomo was one of 26 finalists throughout the country for a $20000-$35000 grant for improvements.

We are pleased to report that Kokomo’s Studebaker Park has been chosen as one of 7 grand prize winners of a $35000 grant!

Kokomo’s Studebaker Park has scored a slam dunk.

Studebaker Park was awarded $35,000 through the Sprite Spark Parks grant. The park was one of seven grand prize winning parks awarded from across the country.

Kokomo Parks & Recreation Superintendent John Martino said the grant will be used to refurbish basketball courts at the park. The grant can be used to fund items such as new rims, backboards, resurfacing and art installations. The grant will be available for a year, he said.

“I also heard that out of all of the parks that originally we were in the top 26,” Martino said. “Then we were in the top five, then it was between us and a park in Michigan in the top two and we won. I’ve also heard that we’ve received the fifth or sixth highest vote totals of all of the parks.”

Martino said the grant will be used to strengthen the area around the park, as well.

“That gives us a chance to strengthen our parks system and strengthen the neighborhood around that park,” he said. “We are very, very excited.”

Other $35,000 grand prize winners from across the country include Lions Park in Pontiac, Ill., Brandon Park in Lancaster, Penn., Cheney Parks & Recreation in Cheney, Was., Walnut Hill park in Dallas, Tex., Herman C. Michael Park in Bishop, Ga. and Litchfield Park Recreation in Litchfield Park, Ariz.

An additional 14 parks received first place honors, which received $20,000 each.

The grant selection process was done via logging online and voting through sprite.com and facebook.com/sprite.

Sprite is a brand of the Coca-Cola Company.

some content courtesy of Scott Smith  Kokomo Tribune