The Orange Bowl Committee and Palm Beach County broke ground today for a $3 million renovation of the existing football stadium and field at Glades Pioneer Park in Belle Glade, Fla.
The new field will be called Orange Bowl Field at Glades Pioneer Park. Renovations will include a synthetic turf field and maintenance, an electronic scoreboard, an entry monument, fencing, walkways and signage. The much-needed renovation of Glades Pioneer Park furthers the county’s commitment to youth enrichment and sports and athletic programming and facilities. The park serves as the playing site for several teams from the Glades Youth Football League, which is a current member of the Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance (OBYFA). In addition, many current and former NFL players from the area have used the field to conduct youth football camps.
“We’re very excited and grateful that the Orange Bowl Committee has selected Palm Beach County and Glades Pioneer Park as recipient of the Orange Bowl Legacy Gift for 2018,” said Palm Beach County Mayor Melissa McKinlay. “The new Orange Bowl Field will allow for greater recreation programming and enhance the sense of community for residents of the Glades area.”
This is the Orange Bowl’s fifth Legacy Gift to the South Florida community and the first in Palm Beach County. Combined, Orange Bowl Legacy Gift projects have provided nearly $16 million worth of improvements toward the beautification of the South Florida community and recreational park activities for residents and their families.
“The Orange Bowl Committee is proud to add Glades Pioneer Park to our Legacy Gift portfolio of park renovations and specifically as our first in Palm Beach County,” said Sean Pittman, president and chair of the Orange Bowl Committee and a Palm Beach County native. “The County, and Belle Glade in particular, has a rich football history and tradition of raising superstar athletes who began their careers in the tri-cities.
This park renovation is vitally needed to enable area youth the ability to carry on this incredible legacy and serve as home base for the football legends who came before. If any area deserves a state-of-the-art stadium, it’s the Glades Community. The mission and vision of the Orange Bowl Committee is to inspire youth, engage our community and enhance South Florida and the new Orange Bowl Field at Glades Pioneer Park will accomplish that and exceed expectations.”
The Orange Bowl first unveiled the Legacy Gift initiative in 2008-09 in honor of the organization’s 75th anniversary, which also coincided with the hosting of the 2009 BCS National Championship. In January 2011, the Orange Bowl, along with the City of Miami, cut the ribbon on Orange Bowl Field at Moore Park. In 2013, the Orange Bowl, in conjunction with the City of Fort Lauderdale, renovated Joseph C. Carter Park in Fort Lauderdale. In 2014, the Orange Bowl, and Miami-Dade County, unveiled the new Orange Bowl Field at Ives Estates Park. Most recently, in 2016, the Orange Bowl, in conjunction with the City of Homestead, unveiled the Orange Bowl Field at Harris Field Park.
About Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department
The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department operates more than 110 parks and recreational facilities and is committed to making the quality of life for Palm Beach County residents and visitors better by providing diverse, safe and affordable recreation services, welcoming parks, and enriching social and cultural experiences by promoting wellness, fostering environmental stewardship, contributing economic value, and by improving the community every day for this and future generations. For more information about recreational opportunities and healthy, happy living, visit
www.pbcparks.com and follow @pbcparks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and WordPress.
About the Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl is a 360-member, primarily-volunteer non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. With its primary mission since being created in 1935 to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and events, it has also maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Orange Bowl community outreach efforts are comprised of four pillars: youth sports, fundraising and community events, academic programs and scholarships, and legacy gifts. The Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 29, 2018. For more information on the 2018-2019 Orange Bowl events, including promotional and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program presented by Panera Bread, log on to orangebowl.org or follow the @OrangeBowl on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
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