Chip Gaines and Bobcat Just Launched a $100k Parks & Rec Makeover Contest—and You Can Nominate Your Community!

Throughout all four seasons of the year, parks and recreation areas in towns and cities across the nation offer exciting physical activity opportunities, mental health benefits, settings for community building and so much more for local residents.

However, there are some parks that may have seen better days and could have much to offer, but currently lack the resources to reach their full potential. That's something that Bobcat Company and Magnolia co-founder Chip Gaines want to do something about.

"Because all kids deserve access to safe, modern youth sports and spaces to play, learn and grow," as Bobcat Company has announced, they've partnered with Gaines, as well as the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA), to help transform a local park with a $100,000 renovation.

Bobcat Park & Rec Makeover Contest

From now through August 16, 2024, you can go online and nominate your community for the Bobcat Park & Rec Makeover Contest. Whether it's a baseball park, soccer field, skatepark, etc., all you have to do is nominate your local field or park through the contest's site with a photo and video of the location and answer some questions about what changes you'd like to see. Then, after working with the NRPA to look over the applicants, Bobcat will announce the winning community this October.

"Parks are essential and they are typically the lowest funded department in most cities," Bret Gaither , the Senior Director of Development at NRPA, tells Parade . "But they're expected to deliver so many things—you don't really think about what you're getting as a benefit from your parks and recreation [centers]. Our rec centers do a lot of things from art, to support for older adults, building a sense of community—there are so many services that are provided by park and rec agencies, sometimes they're just so underfunded."

That's why Gaither thinks it's especially meaningful that Bobcat is stepping in to help and make such a significant difference in the winning community.

And the contest's purpose is near and dear to Gaines' heart, as he not only loves renovations (#demoday, as Fixer Upper fans know), but has such a passion for the outdoors and providing community members with the opportunity to have meaningful spaces for sports and play.

This week, Parade had the opportunity to see Gaines in action and celebrate the contest's kick-off at Bell's Hill Park, which is in its own process of exciting transformation.

We watched Gaines do some demo, plant trees (desert willow and mountain laurel, specifically), play baseball with local youth players (which was just as adorable as you'd imagine) and spoke with him about his partnership with Bobcat and why he's so passionate about outdoor spaces.

Bell's Hill Park Renovation in Waco, Texas

There was a spirit of excitement and determination at Bell's Hill Park this week as progress continued on the field and its surrounding area—so, it's no surprise to hear that Chip Gaines had a significant influence on the overall vibe.

"He's not only a hardworking person, he's not only entrepreneurial, he's so fun," Vice President of Global Brand and North American Marketing for Bobcat Company, Laura Ness Owens , tells Parade . "He has this fun approach of, 'We can get anything done,' so I think he encourages that spirit in so many others."

And now, that shared spirit will benefit the families who live in the Bell's Hill Park area.

"This is a big need for our community, for a park that had been forgotten," Jonathan Cook , Waco Parks and Recreation Director, tells Parade . "It's been in place over 80 years with a ball field, but to get this back up to where our local community would be proud of means a lot to us. The park was established in 1941, so you have kids' great-grandparents that have played here and all the way down and you know, I've heard from people, at least three generations have been playing baseball out here."

The idea that this park's transformation would be able to continue providing decades upon decades of family bonding and fun activities for Waco residents really appealed to Gaines.

"I hope that this has a generational impact on this community," Gaines tells Parade about the renovation. "For us, I hope that these families [in the area] are impacted in a practical way and it gives them a place to get together, community can be reborn, and for Jo and I, especially as it relates to Waco, it's very important to us."

"To think of these things 30 years, 50 years from now, it's pretty cool to think that we have had, or have the opportunity to have some part of this," he continues.

And related to the baseball field, specifically, it brings Gaines back to his own days in youth sports and the lasting impact those activities have had on him.

"When I think back now, as a dad who has three boys and two girls, I just appreciate the things that those opportunities taught me: hard work, being out in the hot sun, not being cooped up inside...for me and my family, we like to be outdoors and when you think about a project like this, and how that will give families around this perimeter the opportunity to engage in that practical way, it's exciting," he shares with Parade . "This is what it's all about for Jo and I."

Related: Get to Know the 'Fixer Upper' Family! All About Chip and Joanna Gaines' 5 Kids

Gaines is so excited to continue working with Bobcat as they launch this contest and beyond. "I'm very geeked out about this partnership and relationship," he gushes to Parade. "We're definitely cut out of a similar cloth."

So, is your community in need of a major upgrade? You have until August 16 to go online and nominate your park or recreation center!

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