The Cincinnati Bengals' former practice facility in Lower Price Hill never generated much nostalgia as pro football facilities go. But thanks to an NFL reclamation program, Spinney Field may actually turn into some future athlete's field of dreams.

        The NFL is donating more than $2 million to build or renovate 22 community football fields in 20 cities this year. Last year the program spent $1.5 million on 18 fields. Among the fields targeted this year is Spinney, along with fields in Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, East St. Louis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Tacoma, Minneapolis, Nashville, Tampa, West Palm Beach and smaller cities in California, South Carolina and Florida.

        The league's Community Football Fields Initiative provides non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of local football fields in schools and parks. It is part of the NFL Youth Football fund, a $100 million joint effort by the NFL and NFL Players Association to support youth football.

        “These fields are a tangible sign of our Youth Football Fund in ac tion. The Youth Football Fund supports all aspects of youth football, from participation to coaching and from fields to the Internet,” said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

        The Bengals have donated to facility to the Cincinnati Recreation Commission. The NFL is providing $100,000 to install lights that will allow the field to be used at night. The Bengals will contribute another $500,000 to the facility over the next five years. When the renovations are finished, the facility will include a gym and other learning spaces.

        The Bengals moved out of Spinney last summer, upon completion of the new Paul Brown Stadium and its adjacent practice facilities. The NFL Flag Football program, which supports 1,000 young people, playing on 34 teams, will be relocated to the facility.

        Spinney's artificial turf always has been an oasis of green tucked among the warehouses and industrial plants of Lower Price Hill. It is a benefit to the city to have a safe, well-lighted and centrally located field dedicated to youth football that will allow such programs to expand in the coming years.

NFL, Bengals reclaiming Spinney Field for kids

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