Coca-Cola Provides $25,000 Grant For Adventure Play Facility at State Park in Detroit
As part of the "America Is Your Park" campaign, Coca-Cola promotes healthy living with $25,000 grant to America's State Parks Foundation to build adventure play facility at William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor.
- Detroit, MI (1888PressRelease) August 26, 2010 - The summer is the perfect time to go out to the park and play with your family - especially during August, the unofficial final month of the season. That's why Coca-Cola has teamed up with the America's State Parks Foundation and the National Park Foundation to encourage Michigan families to come out and play as part of the "America Is Your Park" campaign. Coca-Cola will grant $25,000 at an event for families in William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor while encouraging citizens nationwide to vote online for their favorite park to win $100,000!
"We understand that more Michigan families are looking for ways to have fun and be active together," said Percy Wells, vice president, Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Enterprises - Central Business Unit. "Coca-Cola has supported Michigan's state parks and America's national parks for the past 40 years and we are proud to contribute to the expansion of this beautiful, urban state park."
Coca-Cola launched the "America Is Your Park" campaign on July 29, 2010, and as part of this summer program will host a health and wellness event for local families at the William G. Milliken State Park, Michigan's first urban state park, on Wednesday, August 25, 2010. Coca-Cola will present the America's State Parks Foundation with a $25,000 grant for William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor that will be used as seed money for an indoor/outdoor adventure play area for community use.
The event will allow families to experience the wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities in the park first-hand and provide them with tips on how to incorporate physical activity into an outdoor summer routine. Kids and adults alike will have fun walking through the park, which is located right next to the Detroit River. Families can cast their lines at a special fishing hole, get an up-close look at the unique wildlife that populates the urban wetland and learn to paddle during an on-land kayak demonstration at the harbor. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing will address the importance of having a state park in an urban setting. Also, registered dietitian Julie Feldman will speak to kids and their families about creating healthy eating habits and a Detroit Pistons player will talk about the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle.
Because of mounting pressures on state budgets, America's State Parks have been deemed one of our most endangered national treasures by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The America's State Parks Foundation has been newly formed to raise public awareness and facilitate public, private and partner support for this important cause. That's why grants like Coca-Cola's - one of the first companies to support this effort - are critical to keeping our more than 6,000 state park sites vital as fun and safe destinations for families.
"America's State Parks are the top recreation destination in the country, serving nearly three-quarters of a billion visitors annually across our 50 states," said Joe Elton, President of the National Association of State Park Directors. "We are very grateful to our friends at Coca-Cola for allowing us to showcase the incredible and irreplaceable resources we have here in Michigan and for making a national investment in the future of our State Parks, so that they can continue to help our citizens live a healthy and fulfilled life."
Coca-Cola is also calling on Michigan residents and people across the country to vote for their favorite park on LivePositively.com for a chance to win the title of "America's Favorite Park" and a $100,000 grant.
About the "America Is Your Park" Campaign
Every day should be a day in the park this summer. That's why Coca-Cola will be giving away fun prizes as well as annual passes and family vacations to enjoy America's parks through programs on MyCokeRewards and the Summer Snapshot Contest on the Coke Facebook page. Consumers are also encouraged to visit MyCoke.com to upload their laugh to the Smile-izer. For every laugh submitted, a dollar will be donated to the National Park Foundation, up to $50,000.
What's more, you can also help support America's parks by simply voting for your favorite. The national or state park with the most votes will receive a $100,000 grant from Coca-Cola. Vote as many times as you like from July 29 through August 31. Additionally, Coca-Cola will work with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) to host WNBA FIT Clinics at parks in select cities across the country, as part of a new multiyear marketing partnership agreement. To learn more about Coca-Cola's efforts supporting our parks and to vote for your favorite park, visit www.livepositively.com.
About America's State Parks
With more than 2,000 parks and nearly three-quarters of a billion annual visits, America's State Parks are vital to the American quality of life. America's State Parks is an alliance of public and private organizations working to promote and enhance the collective national treasure that is the great park system found across our 50 states. Leadership and governance for the America's State Parks alliance comes from members of the National Association of State Park Directors. To get involved, visit www.AmericasStateParks.org.
About Michigan State Parks
Michigan state parks and recreation areas encompass 280,000 acres of land, 142 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and 460 miles of inland lake shoreline. The parks and recreation areas are never more than an hour's drive away from any Michigan resident. In 2008, Michigan's 98 state parks and recreation areas welcomed over 23 million visitors, including more than four million campers. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment maintains 16 Great Lakes Harbors of Refuge, 10 lighthouses, six scenic sites and 850 developed boating access sites. Michigan has more than 931,000 registered watercraft (3rd in the nation) and more than 390,000 registered snowmobiles (more than any other state).
State park lands protect and preserve a large part of the biological diversity of Michigan. More than 200 different rare species of plants and animals are located on park lands. These lands include 147 exemplary locations of 43 different Michigan ecosystems. A total of five federal and 21 state endangered species have been documented in state parks and recreation areas. In addition, five federal and 75 state threatened species have been documented, and the state lists 102 species of special concern. http://www.michigan.gov/dnr.
About the National Park Foundation
You are the part owner of 84 million acres of the world's most treasured landscapes, ecosystems, and historical sites - all protected in America's nearly 400 national parks. Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to help connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow. Join us - This is Your Land. www.nationalparks.org.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other billion-dollar brands, including Diet Coke®, Fanta®, Sprite®, Coca-Cola ZeroTM, vitaminwater®, Powerade®, Minute Maid®, Simply® and Georgia Coffee®. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
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