Share:
Amid a decline in sports and play in communities of color further exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, Beyond Sport and leading multimedia sports entertainment brand ESPN co-founded the Return to Play Fund (RTPF) in 2021 to use sport to promote youth wellbeing, address racial inequities and increase access to safe facilities for playing sports in the U.S.
Since then, ESPN has been pivotal in supporting sports space refurbishments led by global nonprofit love.fútbol, local communities and incorporating programming from national nonprofit RISE.
Historically, communities of color and low-income areas have had limited access to safe recreational facilities that don’t require transportation. Thus, a major focus of the RTPF has been improving infrastructure in underserved communities. Since 2022, ESPN has successfully supported the refurbishment of five community sports spaces in Chicago, Miami, Flint, MI, Memphis and Charlotte.
In an effort to engage public participation in the RTPF mission, ESPN also released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) in January 2023 calling for equal access for all kids to the resources they need to play sports, particularly in underserved communities. The PSA features SportsCenter Anchor Jay Harris and youth from a Bronx, New York Boys & Girls Club. It regularly aired across ESPN’s TV and digital platforms, with an audio version on Sirius XM Radio. The PSA directs the audience to the RTPF website, where Beyond Sport has compiled digital resources for parents and guardians, young people, coaches and youth sports providers available in English and Spanish.
READ MORE ABOUT THE SITES WHICH ARE HELPING FACILITATE A HEALTHY AND EQUITABLE #RETURN2PLAY:
Sugaw Creek Park – Charlotte, North Carolina
In June 2024, Sugaw Creek Park opened encompassing two refurbished basketball courts which have become a hub for local residents and a safe space for youth. RISE is running programming with track and field student-athletes from the local MLK Middle School. This programming involves leadership and cultural competency skills, providing participants with a safe environment to learn about diversity and inclusion, and how they can be champions of change to improve race relations and promote community wellbeing. As part of one of the sessions, participants also worked together in the school’s community garden. Produce from this garden is donated to local food banks and shelters to support those in need.
Treadwell Park – Memphis, Tennessee
Encompassing revitalized basketball and soccer courts, this project addresses a significant need in a community where only 1% of residents have access to green space compared to the national average of 28% and only 39% of children engage in physical activity compared to the national average of 53%. A build day and community opening were held in May 2024 where community residents planted flowers, painted benches and created sidewalk games. We were also thrilled to have hometown hero and basketball legend Penny Hardaway – who spent much of his youth running sprints in the park – take part.
Memphis-based soccer nonprofit Play Where You Stay (PWYS) is the local delivery partner, aiming to encourage 1,000 youth in the area to utilize the space. Nike also supported by donating equipment for 450 youth, including basketballs, soccer balls and cones, while its employees volunteered at the build day.
Cagni Park – North Miami, Florida
Opened in September 2023, this pitch features both soccer and tennis programs. Four local organizations—Parks & Rec Afterschool Program, North Miami Kids Foundation, Joga Bonito, and Little Haiti FC—have also established regular programming on the refurbished space.
The build day included adults and children from Little Haiti FC, marking a community-driven effort to enhance the park. North Miami Parks and Recreation committed to offering the first six months of free maintenance, enhancing the sustainability of the court and allowing the savings to be redirected into further programming.
In addition, The United States Tennis Association provided capacity-building tennis training to 11 local leaders from the community to enable the integration of tennis into regular after-school programming. RISE life skills programming included leadership modules catering to students aged 10-11.
Dewey Park – Flint, Michigan
Dewey Park opened in October 2022 as the first sports space refurbishment facilitated by the RTPF and ESPN and offering a multiuse recreational space for youth and adults. The Flint City Bucks (USL 2) launched a biweekly soccer program for kids and 350 youth regularly use the space for year-round activities, mainly consisting of soccer and basketball. The park also hosts programs, clinics and events that draw in an additional 100 adults each week, making it a dynamic and inclusive environment.
In June 2023, RISE organized an anti-racism program at the space, addressing topics such as understanding diversity, bias and using sports as a vehicle for change. Additionally, in the summer of 2024, the Detroit Pistons NBA League Program used the mini pitch for its Junior Pistons youth program to increase awareness and involvement in youth basketball.
Rosenblum Park – Chicago, Illinois
As a special project of ESPN’s ‘Fifty/50 initiative,’ which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX, a refurbished softball field opened on Chicago’s South side in June 2022. The field was dedicated to the Lost Girls MVP Youth Softball program to offer safe facilities for girls to learn and play. Nonprofit Lost Boyz Inc. runs the program as part of its work to decrease violence, improve social and emotional learning and provide financial opportunities for vulnerable Chicago youth.
Community leaders, residents and young people attended the celebration which was hosted by award-winning ESPN journalist Sarah Spain. We were thrilled to also have members of the 2021 WNBA Champion, Chicago Sky and First Lady of Chicago, Amy Eshleman, take part. RISE has since partnered with Lost Boyz to deliver its multi-week leadership program for girls and coaches on the site.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
The Return to Play Fund is supported by Founding Partners Beyond Sport and ESPN, Funding Partners The Pincus Family Foundation and TeamSnap and Media Sponsor SiriusXM.
Visit the program page for more information on the Fund’s capacity building, infrastructure and advocacy pillars, as well as to access our free digital resources.
Share:
