POST-SHOW RECAP

THE 36TH SFMA CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION was held at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs , California , January 13-16 , 2025 . This year ’ s theme was “ Oasis of Knowledge ,” and the sports field management industry ’ s premier event featured seven education tracks , a full trade show with more than 160 exhibiting companies , networking opportunities , opening general session , SAFE fundraisers , the SFMA Student Challenge , Seminar on Wheels , and more .

VOLUNTEER FIELD REBUILD Project EverGreen , members of the Sports Field Management Association ( SFMA ) and the City of Palm Spring Parks and Recreation Department teamed up on January 13 at Demuth Park in Palm Springs , California , to give the baseball fields at the city ’ s largest and most frequently used park a $ 40,000 makeover .

More than 75 professional volunteers joined forces to deliver a professionally renovated baseball field for aspiring youth athletes and neighborhood residents . More than 130,000 square feet of turfgrass and infield playing surfaces were renovated . In less than four hours , the ballfield was completely transformed , showcasing the power of collaboration and expertise .

“ Transformations like these aren ’ t achieved by one person or group alone ; it takes a community effort ,” said Cindy Code , executive director of Project EverGreen . “ In Palm Springs , we ’ ve seen firsthand how wellmaintained athletic fields and recreation spaces can strengthen the social fabric , offering a safe and welcoming environment for people to compete , exercise and connect outdoors .”

Project EverGreen works with under-resourced communities to renovate , maintain and make more accessible healthy playing fields , as well as to improve the environmental health of public green spaces .

Nicholas Gonzalez , director of parks and recreation for the City of Palm Springs , said the city is beyond grateful .

“ I want to thank Project EverGreen and the Sports Field Management Association , who gave their time , talent and resources to transform our park ,” said Gonzalez . “ This gift is meaningful to our community who will continue to enjoy this space and create lasting memories with family and friends .”

The Demuth Park project is the fifth collaboration between SFMA and Project EverGreen :

“ It has become an annual tradition for our members to help rejuvenate a sports field in the community hosting our SFMA conference and we ’ re excited to be a part of this year ’ s transformative project at Demuth Park ,” said SFMA Immediate Past President , Sun Roesslein , CSFM . “ Our team of dedicated sports field managers brings unparalleled expertise to this project , and we ’ re honored to contribute our skills to give back to the Palm Springs community .”

In-kind donors to the project include : Arborjet | Ecologel , Barenbrug , Bulldog Field Equipment , Ecologel , Great Western Sports Field , Hunter Industries , Pioneer Products , Profile Products , ProPeat , Rain Bird , Site One , Sports Field Solutions and West Coast Turf .

Photo provided by Project EverGreen

18 SportsField Management | March 2025 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com