Fiesta Bowl Charities and Partners Build Sports Complex at Glendale's O'Neil Park - Fiesta Bowl

• Updated on: 2023-07-04
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 – More than 6,000 children will benefit from a brand-new play space at South Glendale's O'Neil Park thanks to Fiesta Bowl Charities and partners KABOOM!, Palo Verde, Arizona Sports & Tourism Authority (AZSTA) and BHHS Legacy Foundation. It is the 13 site for a Fiesta Bowl Charities playground legacy project over the last five years. Last month, more than 100 volunteers came together to build two new, innovative playgrounds and a multi-purpose sport court from the ground up. Volunteers moved over 300 cubic yards of mulch and mixed 150 80-pound bags of concrete in addition to assembling the playgrounds and sport court in time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:00 that afternoon. "We are excited to see Fiesta Bowl Sports Complex at O'Neil Park come to life and be part of the revitalization of this neighborhood park," said , Senior Director of Community Relations for the Fiesta Bowl. "With the William C Jack and Don Mensendick schools adjacent to the park, in addition to the community leagues that practice there, we know that the two playgrounds, sport court and future football field will provide a safe play space for youth of all ages for many years to come." Earlier this year, local youth were given the opportunity to draw their dream play spaces. Project organizers collected their artwork and incorporated it into the 2,500-square-foot playground design, turning those dreams into reality. The two nearby schools dismissed students for the day just as volunteers finished work on the site, introducing an excited group of community families to their custom play space. The area of Glendale in which O'Neil Park is located comprises a 78% minority population, with a median household income of $32,610 and an average poverty rate of 35.2%. The new play space at O'Neil Park contributes to the City of Glendale's ongoing project to address infrastructure disparities across the city, providing a safe place for children in the community to experience play. "This project is a perfect example of a public-private partnership that my office has been working hard to bring to the community," said Glendale , who represents the Ocotillo District. "The park has undergone several upgrades, many that are long overdue. The children and families of the area deserve quality parks and safe, inviting amenities." In addition to the newly-built structures, Fiesta Bowl Charities will later install an 80,000-square-foot football field in partnership with BHHS Legacy Foundation and AZSTA. The field, the final step in the new complex, will be the playing surface used in the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl in downtown Phoenix. "AZSTA is pleased to partner with Fiesta Bowl Charities to create new play spaces in Glendale for children to participate in sports and other healthy activities," said AZSTA Board Chair . "This worthy project is a great fit with AZSTA's Youth & Amateur Sports Grant program, which continues to fulfill the promise made to Maricopa County voters when they approved Proposition 302." Before receiving the new play space, O'Neil Park featured outdated infrastructure at the end of its lifespan of use. With play being so important for kids, the project addresses a need in this community and provides an updated space for children and families to gather, foster relationships and promote healthy lifestyles. "BHHS Legacy Foundation is excited to team up with Fiesta Bowl Charities to provide grant funding in support of revitalizing the playground area at O'Neil Park," said , BHHS Legacy Foundation CEO. "In our world, electronic devices and screen time can easily take up a large part of a child's day. So, it's more important than ever that kids and their families have a safe, outdoor play space where they can be active and have fun as part of a healthy lifestyle. Legacy has provided nearly $4 million in grant funding for projects in Glendale and is proud to help fund the O'Neil Park playground and multi-purpose sport court to benefit the local community." Fiesta Bowl Charities and BHHS Legacy Foundation granted KABOOM! funding to help build the playground and support KABOOM! in promoting and protecting a child's right to active play at home, at school and in the community. "Playgrounds are an iconic part of childhood. They're not only where kids collect some of their best memories, but also where crucial skills are developed that nurture their physical, mental, and emotional well-being," said , CEO of KABOOM!. "KABOOM! is thrilled to work with our partners to bring to life the new playspace at O'Neil Park and ensure that kids in Glendale have a place designed just for them, where they can play, learn, and unlock their greatest potential." The ribbon-cutting ceremony was the first of two at the site, with the second taking place early next year following the installment of the field and its accompanying scoreboard. The field will be a site where children in the community can participate in recreation league, after school, and summer camp sports programs. "Partnering with Fiesta Bowl Charities to build this KABOOM! Playground is a meaningful, hands-on, and fun way for our employee volunteers to give back to a community we serve," said Manager of External Affairs at Palo Verde Generating Station. "We support programs that help communities thrive, and providing children with a dedicated place to play is a great way to do that." Given the outdated infrastructure that was in place at O'Neil Park, a complex like the one built on Friday has long been a wish for this community. It will allow local children to be active, healthy, and gives them access to valuable social-emotional learning opportunities and the chance to build positive relationships with other youth. Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education. On the Web: www.FiestaBowl.org Social Media: @Fiesta_Bowl Media Contacts:  Scott Leightman  ( sleightman@fiestabowl.org ; 480.517.6291);  Stayson Isobe  sisobe@fiestabowl.org ; 808.226.6940)