South Cumminsville chosen for 'Community Makeover'

CINCINNATI (July 7, 2014) - Procter & Gamble, the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden announce the neighborhood of South Cumminsville as the winner of the 2014 Community Makeover.

South Cumminsville will receive a complete field renovation of the Wayne Ballfields and significant upgrades to the interior and exterior of the Millvale Recreation Center.

The ballfields, home to Cincinnati Knothole District One teams, will be restored and updated along with new landscaping for the surrounding park. A new football field for the community will also be created.

Projects inside the Millvale Recreation Center will include upgrading the kitchen, game room and computer room, plus painting of the boxing, exercise and weight rooms. Exterior projects will include a new playground, landscaping, removal of concrete patios and new fencing around the courtyard and garden.

The Wayne Ballfields are located at corner of Beekman & Elmore and the Millvale Recreation Center is located at 3303 Beekman Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45225.

"The Cincinnati Recreation Commission is so excited to have the Millvale Recreation Center and Wayne Ballfields chosen as the 2014 Community Makeover site," said Chris Bigham, the Director of Recreation for the CRC. "This transformation will create such a positive impact for our children that enjoy our recreation center and ballfields on a daily basis. I sincerely appreciate the Reds, P&G and the Zoo for making a difference in these kids' lives."

Planning for the project started in the spring and will culminate on August 6 when over 400 volunteers from P&G North America Brand Management, Reds Community Fund staff and board members and the Cincinnati Zoo will participate in the day-long volunteer project in South Cumminsville.

"We're thrilled to be partnering again with the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Zoo and other organizations to help our neighbors in South Cumminsville," said Jodi Allen, Vice President - Brand, North America. "As one of Cincinnati's smallest neighborhoods we know this community makeover has the potential to make a huge positive impact on its residents and we're proud to help make the transformation a reality."

Additional support will be provided by members of the Reds Grounds Crew along with Reds corporate sponsors and partners.

"Once again we are very appreciative of P&G and the Zoo's ongoing support of the Community Makeover, said Phil Castellini, Reds Chief Operating Officer. "All aspects of this project will significantly enhance the neighborhood of South Cumminsville for all of its residents."

For the second year in a row, the Cincinnati Zoo brings a wealth of experience in horticulture, sustainable design and maintenance to the Community Makeover.

"The Cincinnati Zoo prides itself on being involved in the communities it serves, paying forward the generosity of supporters that help the Zoo achieve its mission each and every day," said Thane Maynard, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Zoo. "The Community Makeover project is a no-brainer for the Zoo, one we feel privileged to be part of and one we feel passionate about continuing. Our neighbors in South Cumminsville are working hard to build a neighborhood they can be proud of for generations to come and we are honored to do our small part in helping." 

For the past five years, winners have been selected from applications submitted by communities throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The goal of the annual program is to choose a special field renovation project that will improve local youth baseball or softball programs and to make a significant impact on the community.

P&G and the Reds Community Fund have partnered for the annual P&G Community Day volunteer service projects featuring P&G employees renovating ballfields and community parks around Cincinnati. In 2013, the Cincinnati Zoo was asked to join the partnership and enthusiastically accepted.

Past projects include:

• 2010: Over 125 P&G North American Marketing employees refurbished Brandon Phillips Field and built a new high school girls softball field ("P&G Field") in Winton Place.

• 2011: Over 300 P&G North American Marketing employees built a youth field in Winton Place and high school field in North College Hill.

• 2012: Over 400 P&G North America Marketing employees restored the Cheviot Memorial Fields, historic grandstand and Cheviot Memorial Fieldhouse.

• 2013: Over 400 P&G North America Marketing employees restored the Gabriel's Place and Hirsch Recreation Center and ballfields in Avondale.