As the cost of youth sports continues to rise, many families are finding it harder to afford the activities their kids are passionate about. Beyond that, ensuring that families have safe, natural spaces to play is just as important. This is where Scotts, a long-standing leader in the lawn care industry, made a difference with its “Keep It Real” sweepstakes.
The Importance of Natural Turf for Safe Play
For young athletes, having a safe environment to play is key to both their enjoyment and well-being. Natural turf fields offer a softer, safer playing surface compared to artificial turf, reducing the risk of injury from falls or hard impacts. Scotts recognizes this need and has committed to providing local communities with the tools to maintain these natural grass fields, helping kids play safely while also staying connected to green spaces.
Supporting Youth Sports with Landon Dickerson
In an exciting local initiative that took place in Fall 2024, Scotts partnered with Philadelphia Eagles center and lawn enthusiast Landon Dickerson to launch the “Keep It Real” sweepstakes. This effort aimed to encourage local communities in the Philadelphia area to maintain their sports fields with natural turfgrass, promoting safer play for all.
Through the sweepstakes, local organizations had the opportunity to win products from Scotts for a natural grass field makeover. This effort not only supported youth sports programs in Philadelphia but also strengthened community bonds, all while ensuring safer spaces for kids to enjoy the sports they love.
... And the Winner Is
Scotts shared with us that they announced that the West Philly Panthers youth sports organization was selected as the winner of the “Keep It Real” Sweepstakes! As part of the prize, the organization received enough Scotts products for a full natural grass makeover at their home field at Shepard Park Recreation Center.
The Broader Impact of Scotts' Commitment
While this initiative focuses on Philadelphia, Scotts' commitment to providing safe playing fields goes beyond just one city. The company has partnered with Every Kid Sports, a national nonprofit that helps income-restricted families by funding youth sports registration fees. Through this partnership, Scotts has already supported over 400 young athletes and aims to help even more by 2026.
In addition to the grants they’ve provided to communities like Philadelphia, Scotts is working to expand its reach to other areas across the U.S., including cities like Columbus and Phoenix. The goal? To make youth sports more accessible while ensuring kids everywhere have access to safer, natural fields.
