BIRMINGHAM – Alabama Power is teaming with the city of Birmingham, Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board, the Citizens Advisory Board and Birmingham neighborhoods for Operation Power Play – a joint initiative to upgrade playground equipment and beautify three city parks.  Volunteers from the company and the neighborhoods will help with the beautification efforts during a community service day at each site.

The first service day is this Wednesday, Jan. 26 at Germania Park, 3000 Pearson Ave. S.W. Work is expected to begin at 8 a.m. with a dedication ceremony scheduled for 1 p.m. Mayor William A. Bell Sr., Councilman Jay Roberson, Alabama Power President and CEO Charles McCrary and other community leaders are scheduled to attend the dedication.

“Public-private partnerships are vital to helping move our city forward,” Mayor Bell said. “This partnership brings together the city, our neighborhoods and one of our great corporate citizens for a project that will have a direct and positive impact on kids. It’s a great combination.”        

“We’re excited to partner with Birmingham and the neighborhood association to improve the places where children play in our city,” McCrary said. “Safe and inviting playgrounds are not only important for the health of our young people, they also serve as vibrant gathering places for the community. We’re proud to be part of efforts to expand parks and improve green spaces for the benefit of Birmingham and the entire region.” 
 

Organization volunteers will join neighborhood leaders and others in the park beautification projects. Volunteers will paint equipment, do cleanup work and plant trees, shrubs and flowers. Students from Birmingham City Schools will also participate in the events. 

Plans call for two additional city parks, Roosevelt City and Smithfield Estates, to receive upgrades in the coming weeks. Dates for the community service days at the two parks will be announced soon.

Operation Power Play coincides with the efforts of the Health Action Partnership, a coalition of more than 60 local agencies, led by the Jefferson County Department of Public Health. The coalition is working to improve the community’s health by fighting tobacco use and reducing obesity through physical activity and better nutrition.

“Unless we do more as parents to change our current direction, for the first time in history, the legacy we leave our children is that they will live shorter and less healthy lives than we did,” said Dr. Michael E. Fleenor, Jefferson County public health officer.

“The Health Action Partnership applauds the collaboration between the city of Birmingham and Alabama Power to improve city playgrounds to help reverse these dire trends,” Fleenor said. “This type of cooperation goes a long way to encourage families to make the healthy choice the easy choice and encourages kids and adults of all ages to increase their physical activity.”

Media and the public are invited to join Mayor Bell, Councilman Roberson and other community leaders and volunteers at Germania Park for the service day and dedication.

Media contact: Keisa Sharpe 205-257-4155 or ksharpe@southernco.com