Download PDF Press Release
Atlanta, GA, November 4, 2020 – Park Pride, the Atlanta-based nonprofit that engages communities to activate the power of parks, received a $30,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente that is focused on improving the health and wellness of Atlantans through parks, greenspaces, and community gardens. The award will support geographically focused community engagement and empowerment activities, and education and networking opportunities surrounding emerging park issues and the societal value of parks.
Park Pride recognizes that great parks increase the quality of life in cities, benefiting individuals, communities, and the natural and built environments. The nonprofit’s programs and over 30 years of experience both help communities take a more active role in improving parks and assists local governments in meeting the greenspace needs of their constituents.
Currently, over 160 Friends of the Park groups in the cities of Atlanta, Brookhaven, and Tucker, as well as unincorporated DeKalb County, engage with Park Pride to build community, neighborhood capacity, and trust through park improvements, greenspace advocacy, and education. Park Pride also provides resources and networking opportunities to groups with community gardens in their parks, supporting the growth of not just food, but a healthy environment and a stronger community.
Kaiser Permanente’s award to Park Pride will strengthen and support the Friends of the Park Program, specifically within neighborhoods whose parks and community gardens need attention.
“Part of our mission at Kaiser Permanente is to improve the communities we serve,” said Madelyn Adams, Director of Community Health. “We know that total health includes things outside a medical office. Through our work with Park Pride we are able to help strengthen our communities and improve the overall health and well-being of metro Atlantans.”
“By engaging people in their parks and gardens, Kaiser Permanente’s grant will help more Atlantans access the health and wellness benefits that come with quality parks,” stated Michael Halicki, Park Pride’s executive director. “Kaiser has demonstrated their commitment to Atlanta’s greener good, and we’re so grateful for their support.”
###
About Park Pride
For over 30 years, Park Pride has engaged communities to activate the power of parks! Working with over 160 local Friends of the Park groups, Park Pride provides leadership, services, and funding 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, the largest parks conference in the southeast. Learn more about Park Pride at parkpride.org.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. As Georgia’s largest non-profit health plan, Kaiser Permanente has about 300,000 members in 28 counties in metro Atlanta and four counties near Athens. For more information, visit https://kp.org/Georgia.