Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, Washington Housing Conservancy, and KABOOM! Unveil New Playground in Northeast D.C.

Washington, D.C. - Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation(MSEF), in partnership with KABOOM!and the Washington Housing Conservancy (WHC),has completed a vibrant new playground at Huntwood Courts Apartmentsin Washington, D.C. The new playspace will serve over 560 children, providing a safe environment where kids can develop crucial life skills through play and marks part of more than $1 million in MSEF funding for KABOOM! playgrounds across the greater Washington region.

"Every year, our employees, athletes, front office staff, and leadership team come together to create something lasting in a community which too often doesn't get the investment it deserves," said MSE Founder & CEO Ted Leonsis."Today, we cut the ribbon on a playspace where children can safely be together and develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. It's our 12th playground, and thanks to great partners like KABOOM! and WHC, we are making a real difference for so many young kids and their families across this region."

The new playground replaces a structure that had served the community for more than 15 years, providing a fresh, welcoming space for a community where 98% of residents identify as BIPOC. The new playspace at Huntwood Courts aims to foster deeper connections among the multigenerational households living in the area, encouraging a stronger sense of belonging and attachment to the neighborhood.

"Washington Housing Conservancy is committed to preserving affordable housing and creating vibrant, inclusive communities where families can thrive," said Kimberly Driggins, Executive Director of WHC."This new playground at Huntwood Courts Apartments is an important addition that brings neighbors together, supports the well-being of our children, and strengthens the bonds within our community. We are proud to partner with KABOOM! and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation to create a space where kids can play, learn, and grow right where they live."

More than 150 volunteers, including Washington Capitals players Alexander Alexeyev and Nic Dowd, Washington Wizards players Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, Alexandre Sarr, and Tristan Vukcevic, and Monumental Sports Network's Wes Hall, Tarik El-Bashir, and Alexa Landestoy, worked together to bring the new playspace to life. This highlights MSE's commitment to giving back to the D.C. community that supports them each season.

"Monumental Sports & Entertainment believes in the power of partnerships and community-driven projects like this," said Liz Pace, MSEF President and Executive Director. "Our foundation's mission is rooted in creating opportunities that improve lives. This playground is not just an investment in a playspace but in the future of the children who will use it."

Earlier this summer, the community's children, with the support of Wizards player Jules Bernard and Capitals player John Carlson, shared their dream playground designs with project organizers. These ideas were incorporated into the final design, ensuring the playground reflects the needs and desires of the community.

"Playgrounds are a cornerstone of childhood, offering not only a place where kids create lasting memories but also a space where they develop critical physical, emotional, and social skills," said Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!!. "We are excited to partner on this new playspace at Huntwood Courts, ensuring more that kids in Washington, D.C. have a safe, accessible place to play, grow, and reach their full potential."

In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity, the five-year plan to accelerate efforts towards achieving their mission to end playspace inequity for good across the United States. KABOOM! envisions a world where safe and amazing places to play exist for every child in America so that kids can grow up happy and healthy. To learn how partners can join KABOOM! in their efforts to end playspace inequity, visit http://kaboom.org/25-in-5.

Special thanks to our partners, Coca-Cola Consolidated Inc., Giant Food, Chick-fil-A, and Dunkin'for donating food and beverages for the volunteers.

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About Washington Housing Conservancy

Washington Housing Conservancy is working to reinvent the housing system to become a more equitable pathway to opportunity and prosperity for all. Fusing a social impact mission with real estate expertise and capital, we acquire and preserve rental housing that is affordable for moderate and low-income workers, particularly those of color so they are able to build wealth and focus on their future in inclusive communities. For more information, visit us at https://washingtonhousingconservancy.org/or connect with us on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube.

About Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation

MSE Foundation is committed to making the region a better place for all by supporting game-changing solutions for our community. We fundraise, provide grants to nonprofits and rally Monumental Sports & Entertainment's teams and fans to support and amplify the impact of community change agents. Together, we're raising the game in the DMV. Learn more at MonumentalFoundation.organd follow us on X (formerly Twitter)and Instagram.

About KABOOM!

KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending playspace inequity - the reality that quality places to play are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with kids and communities to build or improve 17,000+ playspaces and ensure that nearly 12 million kids have equitable access to the crucial benefits and opportunities that playspaces offer. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequityto accelerate its mission in 25 high-priority locations over five years. Learn more at kaboom.orgor join the conversation on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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