Get out and vote for Apopka's parks

$20,000 grant on the line for the winner

From the City of Apopka

This is a great time of the year to enjoy Apopka’s parks and recreation facilities. While you’re at it, you also may vote for the City of Apopka to receive a grant to make our parks even better.

The National Recreation and Park Association and The Walt Disney Company are promoting Meet Me at the Park Earth Month throughout April to help connect kids with nature, promote healthy living and provide access to sports at local parks. They also invite everyone to vote for their city – like Apopka – to receive a $20,000 park improvement grant.

Voting run throughout April. Those who vote will be eligible to win a GoPro Hero 5 camera prize pack.

Go online and visit www.NRPA.org/Disney to vote for Apopka. On cell phones, text the keyword PARKS to the number 31279 (standard message and data rates may apply). You will receive a link to the website to vote for Apopka.

Encourage your friends to nominate Apopka by taking a selfie in their favorite park and using the hashtags #MeetMeAtThePark, #Parkies and #CelebrateEarth .

“At NRPA we believe everyone deserves a great park. That’s why we’re proud to collaborate with The Walt Disney Company on this campaign,” said Lori Robertson, NRPA director of conservation. “Everyone is encouraged to join us in giving back to the places that shape so much of our lives by participating in this year’s campaign. A nomination for your favorite park is all it takes.”

The City of Apopka has numerous parks and recreational facilities to enjoy. Visit Dream Lake Park – a scenic two-acre area at North Park Avenue and Votaw Road. Apopka Boy Scout Troop 211 members Connor Larsen and Adam Speck headed up two Eagle Scout project to build a wooden pedestrian bridge and meandering brick walkways. The park also has picnic tables.

The Northwest Recreation Complex on Jason Dwelley Parkway is among the best sports and recreation facilities in Central Florida with 180 acres including more than two dozen sports fields, basketball, tennis and sand volleyball courts, outdoor pavilions, walking paths and more. Kit Land Nelson Park off of Park Avenue features five acres with a large pavilion and picnic tables adjacent to the West Orange Trail.

The Lake Avenue Park features a beautiful new playground constructed by volunteers from Apopka and assistance from KaBOOM! and Foresters Financial. Bring the dogs out for some exercise at Doctors Park off of Highland Avenue.

Parks make Apopka a better place to live and shape so many of our lives. Parks are essential to our city’s health and well-being. They provide safe places to be active and enjoy nature - and they help preserve the environment and bring people together.

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation, and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.NRPA.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.