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Atlanta – July 12, 2018 – Park Pride, the Atlanta-based nonprofit that engages communities to activate the power of parks, announced that the City of Tucker has signed a contract engaging the organization to provide programing and resources for park improvements to local Friends of the Park groups. Park Pride has been a presence in the Tucker community prior to the incorporation of the City of Tucker through Park Pride’s longstanding work in unincorporated DeKalb County. Thanks to leadership within the city, Park Pride’s support of Tucker parks will continue.
“Since the very beginning of our work in Tucker, members of the Friends of the Tucker Parks have been extremely dedicated to their greenspaces,” stated Ayanna Williams, Park Pride’s Director of Community Building and manager of the Friends of the Park Program. “We are thrilled that this work will continue. It is clear that the leadership in the City of Tucker values its parks, the work of Park Pride, and the role the community plays to make its parks the best they can be.”
The Friends of Tucker Parks—which includes the Friends of Henderson Park, Johns Homestead, Kelley Cofer Park, Tucker Nature Preserve, and Tucker Recreation Center—is led by a passionate group of park advocates to protect and improve all of the greenspaces within the city.
Linda Alley with the Friends of Tucker Recreation Center looks forward to the continued relationship between Park Pride, the City of Tucker, and the Friends groups within the jurisdiction. “This relationship has been very valuable,” she stated. “The partnership between Park Pride and the Friends of Tucker Recreation Center has led to much needed beautification and education amenities, as well as safety features within the Tucker Butterfly Garden, all of which has benefited the entire community.”
In June, Park Pride and the City of Tucker cemented their relationship with an official contract. Park Pride will continue to support park advocates through its Friends of the Park Program, providing access to a variety of tools and resources that build capacity for community-led park improvement efforts, including skills training workshops and the Fiscal Partners Program. The Fiscal Partners Program is an invaluable service offered by which Park Pride serves as a fiscal sponsor to receive grants and donations on behalf of Friends groups for the improvement of parks and greenspace.
The Friends of Tucker Parks will also continue to benefit from Park Pride’s Volunteer Program that facilitates large-scale park improvement projects for corporate, student, and civic groups eager to give back to their communities through enhancing local greenspace. In 2017, Park Pride coordinated over 23,000 volunteer hours in parks and on trails in the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County with the help of over 7,200 volunteers.
“This is really a win-win for our staff, our volunteers and for Tucker’s parks,” said Tucker Parks and Recreation Director Rip Robertson. “Park Pride is exactly the type of partner we need to improve the level of service to our community and to really reimagine what Parks and Recreation can be in Tucker.”
Any community members who are interested in connecting with an existing Friends of the Park group or starting a new Friends of the Park group are encouraged to contact Kayla Altland, Park Pride’s Friends of the Park Associate, at kayla@parkpride.org or 404-546-7963.
About Park Pride:
Park Pride is the Atlanta-based nonprofit that engages communities to activate the power of parks. Working with over 100 local Friends of the Park groups, Park Pride provides leadership and services to help communities realize their dreams for neighborhood parks that support healthy people, strong neighborhoods, vibrant business districts, a robust economy and a healthy environment. Park Pride is active in greenspace advocacy and educating both civic leaders and the public about the benefits of parks, and annually hosts the Parks and Greenspace Conference. Learn more about Park Pride at https://parkpride.org/.