Wednesday, November 4, 2015 –Metro North Community Development Corporation has been granted $100,000 by the Jacksonville Jaguars through the National Football League Foundation Grassroots Program to create a natural turf football field at Scott Park. The park, with several baseball diamonds, a community center, playground equipment, restrooms, tennis courts, and basketball courts, currently does not have a quality designated space for youth football.

The grant from the Jaguars, the NFL Foundation, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is part of $2.5 million in field refurbishment awards allocated this year.

The NFL Foundation/LISC Grassroots Program, a partnership between the NFL Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the nation's leading community development support organization, has committed nearly $40 million to the program since 1998, supporting the creation or refurbishment of 306 fields nationwide. Fields are newly built or significantly renovated, with improvements including irrigation systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goal posts and turf. Grassroots grants are issued once established funding thresholds are reached for each project.

"We are thrilled to receive this grant to enhance one of our recreational spaces for young athletes through the addition of the natural turf football field at Scott Park," said Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. "Providing safe, functioning outdoor areas that afford children the opportunity to enjoy themselves, as well as adopt good exercise habits through sports and team activities such as football, support my commitment to youth and community enrichment opportunities. We truly appreciate the Jacksonville Jaguars, the NFL Foundation, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) for their support in this effort."

LISC identifies local, nonprofit, community-based agencies that have an interest in building or refurbishing football fields in schools and neighborhood parks. Through the program, local agencies are provided with the necessary financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of fields in their communities. The agencies oversee the construction, maintenance and programming of the fields.

"Community football fields are more than just places to play," said Michael Rubinger, LISC's president and CEO. "They're places that promote fitness, good health, community spirit and teamwork. No neighborhood is complete without one. The NFL Foundation has been a great partner in creating these essential community assets."