Football brings life to Phelps neighborhood

For years there were no football games at Phelps Park, on 39th Street & Chicago Avenue. That all changed this year and the park has experienced new life and excitement. Because of a $4,000 grant from the Bryant Neighborhood Organization’s NRP money, Phelps Park has been able to set up a football program for third- to eighth-graders. Additional and ongoing support has come from the Phelps Activities Council, a 501c3. Equipment was purchased from neighborhood businessman Bill St. Mane, who presented the lowest bid. 
Jim Halbur, who for many years has been the pastor of a neighborhood church, Fountain of Life, and is president of the Phelps Activities Council, says, “It is a whole different atmosphere with football going on. It is especially noticeable at night with the lights on. It makes the park inviting and safe. What a great thing for the community.”

John Ross, the current park director at Phelps, noticed, “It has been a definite improvement and positive impact ... on days when the teams are having practice the park is easily manageable and calmer and it has developed a sense of pride in the community.”

Mark Graves, director of the Boys and Girls Club, who has been at the park for many years, has seen the positive impact of the program on the park, especially on the day there were about eight football teams scrimmaging each other. “It’s a great thing to see,” he said.

The vision behind the Phelps Acitivities Council is to help Phelps Park and the Boys & Girls Club be a place to help develop character in kids through various activities. The new funding for football, along with the hard work of coaches and other volunteers, is making a difference in the Phelps neighborhood.