Partnership Between Jaguars, Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Local Organizations Leads to New Youth Development Park

The Jaguars and several local organizations worked together to bring a new state of the art youth recreational park to Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville community got a big win on Wednesday. 

Thanks to a partnership between the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Group 1001, and several other local groups, a new state-of-the-art Youth Development Park opened this week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a sports clinic for local youth. 

The park, which is located at the Clanzel T. Brown Boys & Girls Club on Moncrief Road, was funded by Group 1001, Jacksonville Jaguars through the National Football League Foundation, City of Jacksonville, Jumbo Shrimp, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida.

The park features a newly constructed synthetic turf facility, which is designed to provide Jacksonville's youth with accessible outdoor recreational spaces to learn, play, and grow. The Youth Development Park will serve as a hub for fostering social development and empowering young individuals in the community.

Whitney Meyer, Chief Community Impact Officer of the Jacksonville Jaguars, said in a release that, “Youth sports and development are a key component of the Jaguars and the NFL’s community impact efforts. We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Group 1001 and the NFL Foundation through the NFL Club Matching Youth Football Grant Program to establish a place that encourages play and promotes teamwork, discipline and personal growth. 

"We hope the new park serves as a valuable resource for the neighborhood, providing youth a safe and inclusive environment to develop their skills and achieve their full potential.”

"The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is proud to join forces with Group 1001 and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida to bring this exceptional Youth Development Park to Jacksonville," Steve Salem, President & CEO, said in a release. 

"We believe in the power of sports and recreational activities to transform lives and provide opportunities for growth and personal development. This partnership will have a lasting impact on the youth of this community."

Mike Nichols, Chief of Sponsorship Strategy & Activation at Group 1001, said, "Group 1001 is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of individuals and communities across the nation. We are honored to partner with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to provide the youth of Jacksonville with a first-class Youth Development Park that will promote health, well-being, and educational opportunities."