Oct 3 2012
It took 200 volunteers just over six hours to transform an empty patch of grass into a beautiful new playground at Waterview Park today. The colorful 3,000 square-foot play space - which includes features such as arch belt swings, a slither slide and five different climbing apparatus - will serve 7,500 children and their families in the community for years to come.
Today's build was the final step in a two-month planning process that started at a Design Day in July when local children and community leaders met with organizers from KaBOOM! and ForestersTM to create their dream playground. The children's drawings were then used to create the final playground design.
"Foresters believes in providing opportunities for families to spend quality time together," said Kasia Czarski, Foresters Senior Vice President, Chief Membership and Marketing Officer. "A playground is an important piece for the revitalization of a community. Not only does it provide a first step towards keeping children healthy, but it's a safe, central location for the entire neighborhood to get together."
Volunteers from Foresters, the City of Duncanville, the Duncanville ISD Education Foundation and non-profit KaBOOM! gathered at the site at 8:30 a.m. After an inspirational kick-off ceremony, they formed teams and worked together to pour cement, move safety surfacing and assemble equipment with direction from KaBOOM!. By noon, the outline of a playground started to take shape and by 3 p.m., it was complete.
"The City is extremely grateful to have been selected as a partner in this project," said Duncanville City Manager Dan O'Leary. "This community-built playground means a great deal to our city as it served as an opportunity to bring the community together to install a much-needed safe play place for the children of Duncanville."
"The sole purpose of the Education Foundation is to support Duncanville ISD and its students. Waterview Park is a shining example of supporting a creative and innovative project that will directly benefit not only our students but the entire community," said Foundation Board President Earle Jones. "Waterview Park provides a wonderful place for families to gather and play, while affording Brandenburg Intermediate an enhanced outdoor learning space."
Since 2006, Foresters has invested over $7 million with KaBOOM! with almost 100 playgrounds built or planned across the US and Canada. Over their 15 year lifespan, these playgrounds will provide more than 2.6 million children and their families with an opportunity to spend quality time together. Foresters is a KaBOOM! National Partner and a founding member of the KaBOOM! Leadership Circle - a group of organizations providing long-term guidance and support to KaBOOM! and its mission.
Source: http://www.foresters.com/