-News Release-
Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation has completed installing structures to create shade at the Upper Alto Park ballfields through a partnership with Coca-Cola.
The shades were installed over the last few weeks and provide much-needed shade and comfort for players, coaches, parents and spectators.
The addition of the shade structures completes the latest phase of larger improvements at Upper Alto Park, many of which were made possible through funding from voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The improvements are designed to enhance the experience for the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to Alto Park each year for local league and tournament play.
“These types of improvements are certainly nice to have, but at this time, they were simply not something we could afford to do on our own,” said Todd Wofford, Director of Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation. “For Coca-Cola to step up and help make this happen is huge for us and for the families who use Alto Park. Alto Park will host more than 400,000 visitors through local league and tournament play, so providing a place for players, parents, and spectators to get out of the sun makes a tremendous difference.”
Without SPLOST funding and community partnerships, additional amenities like these wouldn’t be possible.
“SPLOST is a great funding source but can be a double-edged sword. Building or upgrading facilities and amenities are often the easy part, but maintaining them over time can be difficult. We try to fit our needs to align with the recreation master plan, and they could potentially bring in more revenue too,” Wofford said.
“Most people don’t fully understand what SPLOST and that one-cent sales tax make possible, but Rome and Floyd County simply would not have the parks and recreation system we have today without that funding and the great partners who continue to invest in our community,” Wofford said. “Coca-Cola is a great example of a local partner stepping up to add amenities to the park that will have an impact on thousands of spectators for years to come.”
Through its partnership with Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation, Coca-Cola continues to invest in the Rome and Floyd County community and help enhance the recreational experience for children and families. Coke has also committed to helping fund indoor basketball resurfacing, game balls for sports leagues, balls for our annual Playtime with Santa, and supports the Parks and Recreation soccer program at Garden Lakes.
“We have a lot of great supporters throughout our community, and we are incredibly thankful for every one of them,” Wofford said. “There are also plenty of opportunities throughout our park system for other businesses and organizations to step up, get involved, and make a difference. When local businesses invest in our parks, they are investing directly in our community and our kids.”
Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation encourages families visiting Alto Park to stop by the concession stands during league play and support Coca-Cola, whose support helps make improvements like these possible.
