Memphis PAL To Restore A Historical Space For The Youth Of The Community

Connecting Kids, Cops And Communities
The mission of the Sheriff’s & Police Activities League of Memphis and Shelby County, TN (MSPAL) is to prevent juvenile crime and violence through positive relationship building amongst kids, cops, and communities that promotes excellence in both sportsmanship and mentoring.

The Vision

For many kids in Memphis, the zip code they live in determines their future. The gulf between opportunities for kids who are poor vs. those who have access to money is far too wide. The child poverty rate is so high that almost half the children live in poverty and racial disparities continue for generations. Unfortunately, an important barrier is the disparity in children’s access to positive experiences that promote health, well-being, and future success. The Sheriff’s & Police Activities League of Memphis and Shelby County, TN (MSPAL) believes access to these experiences plays a direct role in the development of children.

Our programs focus on six core initiatives:
• Education
• Discovery
• Mentoring
• Sports
• Intervention
• Nutrition

The Memphis PAL Sports program allows youth to channel their energy through physical activity while developing athletic skills in:

• Tackle Football • Cheer / Dance
• Baseball • Tennis
• Track & Field • Volleyball
• Soccer • Basketball
• Golf • NFL Flag Football

Field of Dreams How can I help?

The next step in our collaborative plan to engage children, families, law enforcement, and the community in preventing juvenile crime is the construction of a youth development park. The property has already been donated by the City of Memphis, Memphis City Council, Memphis Parks for this use, and now we need your help.

Charles Greenhill Stadium, named after local Frayser athlete Charles Greenhill, was damaged by flooding in 2010.Charles grew up in the Frayser area of Memphis with grit, grind, and a love for sports. His impact before college was enough to see his name honored in his community and many claimed he was the best high schooler to come out of their city.Charles averaged 29.8 yards per kickoff return and was considered the Penny Hardaway of football before Penny would grace the basketball court. He lived a life, and possessed a talent, worthy of having a city school dedicate their field to him and a university make him their first retired jersey. On December 12th 1983, Greenhill’s living legacy was cut short when his plane, enroute to a Quarterback Club, crashed. After his loss, the Charles Greenhill Stadium was established to honor his legacy.

To celebrate the community pride in his legacy, Memphis PAL is seeking funds to develop this multi-purpose athletic field on the stadium site.

Research says:

• Playgrounds and youth development parks are important for children’s physical, mental, and social development, but it is also the arena in which they develop their moral character.
• Participating in an organized youth sport adds structure and direction to physical activity, which is a key element for consistency and discipline.
• Community playgrounds provide children the opportunity to practice and hone key skills including social, emotional, cognitive, and physical. Children are constantly learning through play—making new friends, sharing, taking turns, and interacting with other children.