Over the next decade, the Pacers Foundation will revitalize basketball courts at parks and community centers across Indiana through State of Play , an effort tipped off Wednesday at Frederick Douglass Park in Indianapolis. Pacers Foundation leaders joined local officials, Indy Parks executives, and Pacers players for a community celebration and ribbon-cutting to launch the program and show off the first project at the east side park.
“We have an opportunity to prioritize health and fitness for every community in the state of Indiana but to do this, we have to ensure our kids and families have safe, accessible places to play and socialize,” said Rachel Simon, chair of the Pacers Foundation. “Our vision is to help create a state that is changing, not only how kids play, but where they play, as well, and we look forward to working with incredible local organizations to bring that vision to life.”
Community organizations can begin applying today at pacersfoundation.org/stateofplay to be considered by the Pacers Foundation for a State of Play grant. Once selected, each organization will work alongside the Pacers Sports & Entertainment staff to design a court that matches the character of the neighborhoods and communities they serve. The Pacers Foundation plans to rehabilitate up to 20 courts statewide over the next 10 years
Indiana, like many states, continues to prioritize strategies aimed at curbing growing obesity rates, mental health concerns, and public health disparities, particularly among children. State of Play investments seek to give Hoosier families safe, updated places to play while encouraging young people to change the way they play, spend more time being physically active, and connect with their peers through exercise and play.
In short, the goal is to leverage the power of basketball to help change the state of play in Indiana over the next decade.
“Basketball is a team sport, and we’re thrilled to have the Pacers on our team when it comes to providing places to play our city's favorite game,” said Indy Parks Director Phyllis Boyd. “This partnership with the Pacers builds on our investments in indoor and outdoor courts including those at the new Frederick Douglass Family Center and the new Wes Montgomery Park basketball pavilion opening later this fall. Whether it’s an outdoor pickup game, open gym, or our youth leagues, Indy Parks has a place for you to play.”
The Pacers Foundation has made improving physical and mental health an important focus for its resources, efforts that have been supercharged thanks to the generous investments of Pacers owners Herb Simon and Stephen Rales, Steve Simon, and local partners. Today’s State of Play announcement follows last month’s launch of the Foundation’s food insecurity program, Drive & Dish, Powered by Gleaners2Go , that over the next decade will make tens of thousands of pounds of nutritious food and fresh produce available to Hoosier families across Indiana communities.
Following Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting, Pacers players and personalities spent the afternoon shooting hoops and playing games with local families. There were activities for kids inside and outside the Frederick Douglass Family Center, inflatables, face painters, giveaways, and much more to celebrate the start of the 2024-25 season.
For more information about State of Play, click here.
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