Hershey, Nike Celebrate Active Play on First Interactive Play Surface

OGDEN, Utah -- The Hershey Co. joined with Nike Reuse-A-Shoe and Ogden, Utah, Mayor Matthew Godfrey to present the Ogden Track Club with the first annual Hershey's Track & Field Games Play Space award, the company announced. The club was chosen for its commitment to hosting the youth activity program Hershey's Track & Field Games.

The 35-year-old program was founded on principles of physical activity, self-esteem and hard work and has offered more than 10 million children the chance to participate and learn about staying active.

"This program is an illustration of our company's legacy of youth activity, volunteerism and environmental stewardship," said Jim George, vice president of corporate social responsibility for The Hershey Co. "The Games are about teaching lifelong lessons and having fun with every run, jump and throw along the way. We're pleased to dedicate this playground to Ogden as part of Hershey's ongoing commitment to youth activity."

Hershey recently teamed up with the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program to collect worn-out sneakers from across the nation and recycle them into activity surfaces such as the playground Hershey dedicated at Ogden's Fourth Street Park, which features Playtop Street, the first interactive play surface in the U.S.

"Years ago I participated in Hershey's track program and now have children who are doing so," said Godfrey. "Hershey is a remarkable company that gives so much to kids and communities and has been doing so for a long time. We couldn't be more excited about receiving this new interactive play space made of recycled sneakers. It will serve the children of Ogden and help them find new ways to be more active and healthy."

Hershey's dedication marks the beginning of the HTFG Play Space's 35th birthday season for local event organizers such as the Ogden Track Club, the company said. Local parks and schools are invited to register a 2012 event to become part of a youth program that features ways for families to celebrate active birthday parties Nike Reuse-A-Shoe recycling, and celebration activities with Olympians and Track & Field Games ambassadors Carl Lewis and Rafer Johnson.