Arlington’s Randol Mill Park to Become “Greener” Thanks to Chevrolet and CBS’ EcoMedia

(3BL Media) Arlington, TX - May 7, 2011 - CBS EcoMedia, Inc (“EcoMedia”), Chevrolet and the City of Arlington announced today that Arlington’s Randol Mill Park will be the location of the first environmental project to be funded as a result of Chevrolet’s participation in EcoMedia’s ‘EcoAd’ program, which was launched in January. The funding of the project is a direct result of Chevrolet’s purchase of EcoAds on local CBS stations.

On hand to make the announcement were Arlington Mayor Pro Tempore Lana Wolff, Chevrolet Regional Marketing Manager Mark Harland, EcoMedia President and Founder Paul Polizzotto and CBS 11/TXA 21 President and General Manager Gary Schneider.

The Chevrolet EcoAd grant will fund improvements at Arlington’s Randol Mill Park, including:

• Sustainable landscaping around the new barrier-free playground, which was designed to accommodate children with special needs;
• Energy efficiency and water conservation measures in the new ballpark concession and restroom facility, including solar panels on the building rooftop;
• Signage to educate park visitors about the benefits that will be achieved through these measures, including an estimated 30 percent energy savings and 20 percent water savings; and
• Ten 30-gallon Chinquapin Oaks planted by the Texas Trees Foundation, which will offset carbon emissions.

 “This is an exciting day for Arlington and this playground represents what a strong vision, along with good planning and valuable partnerships, can accomplish,” said Mayor Robert Cluck. “The City is grateful for the support EcoMedia and Chevrolet are providing to this and future projects, such as the rebuilding of the restroom and concession building here at Randol Mill.”

The EcoAd provides advertisers, such as Chevrolet, with the option of purchasing media that will deliver added value beyond traditional advertising.  With the purchase of every EcoAd package, a portion of the dollars spent goes directly toward funding environmental and clean energy projects, all of which have been identified by local municipalities and public entities as being critical, yet under-funded.  EcoAd advertising packages are available across CBS platforms, including network, local television, radio, outdoor and online.

 “Here in Arlington, Chevrolet is supporting environmentally sensitive projects, such as the impressive improvements underway at Randol Mill Park,” said Harland. “We are working to help reduce carbon emissions in every aspect of our business, including programs like our partnership with CBS on EcoAds and national carbon reduction program to offset eight million metric tons of emissions within the next few years.  With innovative products like the Volt, Chevrolet is promoting greater stewardship of earth’s natural resources so all of our kids -- and their kids -- can be playing baseball in green spaces like this for generations to come.”

All EcoAds feature the EcoAd leaf which is a visible indicator that the brand is sponsoring important, local environmental projects such as solar installations, energy efficiency retrofits or the ‘greening’ of schools, affordable housing and municipal buildings. 

 “The green transformation of Randol Mill Park in Arlington, Texas is the first of numerous environmental projects that will be made possible through our EcoAd program,” said Polizzotto.  “As one of the first advertisers to embrace the EcoAd, Chevrolet is a role model for other corporations looking for real ways to improve the quality of life in the communities they serve.  Chevrolet is to be commended for taking this leadership role; Chevy's innovative EcoAd campaign is a shining example of the way in which corporate advertising budgets can be directed toward programs which create local jobs, lower municipal energy costs, and save taxpayer money in communities nationwide.” 

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.  More information about Chevy’s sustainability projects can be found at www.chevycarbonreduction.com.

About EcoMedia

EcoMedia is the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, providing a green value-add for advertisers across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor.  Through the groundbreaking EcoAd program, EcoMedia offers advertisers the unique ability to make tangible improvements to communities and the environment while also connecting more effectively with their consumers.  This unique business model provides advertisers with the only truly sustainable option for their media purchasing.  Each EcoAd devotes a portion of the media buy to fund environmental projects in communities across the United States.

Since 2002, EcoMedia has been building public-private partnerships that direct advertising revenues to support initiatives that protect the environment.  EcoMedia's projects include diverting pollution from the oceans, safeguarding endangered fishing habitats, providing harbor and watershed protection, promoting recycling and ridesharing, conserving energy and water, planting trees and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

CBS first partnered with EcoMedia in 2008 to support projects in Long Beach, Calif. and Miami, Fla.  Through this partnership, EcoMedia and CBS enabled an energy efficiency retrofit and solar power installation for Miami City Hall, completed a green makeover for public schools in San Francisco, Miami and Cook County, Ill., and installed solar panels at California's Long Beach airport.  Hundreds of similar projects have been identified in communities across the country that will be completed through EcoMedia's EcoAd program. 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each EcoAd goes to projects we believe will benefit the environment. EcoAd is not a certification program, nor is the EcoAd logo a seal of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoAd advertisers, their products or services. Please visit ecoad.cbs.com for more information.

About Randol Mill Park

Randol Mill Park is located in the City of Arlington and is 149 barrier-free acres of open space that features nine (9) youth baseball fields, tennis courts, a water park and a lake for recreational fishing.  In November 2010, the structure which housed Randol Mill Park’s concession stand, restrooms and the Miracle League’s equipment storage was destroyed by an arsonist.  The Miracle League is a baseball program for children with physical and developmental challenges.

The new Randol Mill Park playground is about making friends and building self-esteem. It provides all children, regardless of abilities, a play experience different from that experienced at a traditional playground. Its barrier free design encourages children with special needs to play on equipment with their peers.

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Media Contacts:

Lori Conrad, CBS 11/TXA 21, Lconrad@ktvt.com  214-245-5529

Sarah Douglis, EcoMedia, Sarah.Douglis@ecomediacbs.com 212-975-1938

Kelly Drawdy, City of Arlington, Kelly.drawdy@arlingtonTX.gov  817-459-6931

Katie Pacholczyk, Fleishman-Hillard for Chevrolet, Katie.pacholczyk@fleishman.com 214-665-1367