FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 24, 2024

CONTACT:  
Liz Carey-Linskey
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
[email protected]
612-900-5307 (c)      

***ADVISORY*** ***ADVISORY*** ***ADVISORY***  

Greater East Side Community Council and Saint Paul Parks & Recreation to Unveil Kid-Designed, Community-Built Playspace with Equitable Advisors, Canopy Financial Group and KABOOM! at Hayden Heights Recreation Center

This is part of a nationwide effort led by KABOOM! to end playspace inequity -- the reality that far too many children do not get the chance to play on a playground, something that should be part of every child's life.

WHAT: 

Meet and speak with representatives from the Greater East Side Community Council, Saint Paul Parks & Recreation, Equitable Advisors, Canopy Financial Group and KABOOM! who came together to construct a new community and kid-designed playspace that will spark joy and a sense of belonging for kids in Saint Paul as part of KABOOM!'s 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity.

Media may collect photos and b-roll of volunteers building the playground. On-site representatives will offer remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and will also be available for questions.

Interested volunteers can sign-up on Eventbrite. For more information, visit www.kaboom.org.

WHO: 

• Andy Rodriguez, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Director
• Lisa Theis, Greater Eastside Community Council

WHEN:

Saturday, July 27th, 2024

8:00am - Volunteers construct playground

2:30pm - Ribbon cutting ceremony and photo opportunities

WHERE: 

Hayden Heights Recreation Center, 1965 Hoyt Ave E, Saint Paul, MN 55119

ADDITIONAL INFO:

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. This new playspace with the Greater East Side Community Council, Saint Paul Parks & Recreation, Equitable Advisors, and Canopy Financial Group is part of a nationwide effort led by KABOOM! to end playspace inequity - the reality that far too many children - especially children of color - do not get the chance to play on a playground, something that should be part of every child's life. Their work is to ensure every kid can experience the numerous physical, social, and mental health benefits of play regardless of background or where they live.

Community members led the creation of the playground, from design to installation. In May, kids from Saint Paul shared drawings of their dream playspaces with project organizers. These ideas were integrated into the new playground design. This project represents progress in ensuring every kid has a place to play, providing a state-of-the-art playground for more than 1,300 children to enjoy each year.

The former playground equipment at Hayden Heights Recreation Center was 25-years-old, well beyond its useful life cycle, and in urgent need of replacement due to high use.

Saint Paul Parks & Recreation is the fifth official partner of KABOOM!'s 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity, a five-year plan to achieve playspace equity in 25 priority places. KABOOM!, Saint Paul Parks & Recreation, and the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy are investing $7.5 million to address gaps in access to quality places to play in St. Paul communities that disproportionately lack resources.

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.

To learn how partners can join KABOOM! in their efforts to end playspace inequity, visitkaboom.org/25-in-5.

About Saint Paul Parks and Recreation  

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is a nationally accredited and gold medal award-winning organization that manages 184 parks and open spaces, AZA-accredited Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 26 city-operated recreation centers, more than 120 miles of trails, an indoor and two outdoor aquatic facilities, a public beach, a variety of premium sports facilities, municipal golf courses, and Great River Passage - which is the new identity for all proposed public development along Saint Paul's more than 17 miles of Mississippi riverfront. For more information about Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, visit www.stpaul.gov/parks. 

About Greater East Side Community Council

The Greater East Side/District 2 Community Council serves the northeast neighborhoods and is one of 17 neighborhood councils in the city of St Paul. Their mission is to engage the community to create a vibrant and thriving neighborhood for all.

About Equitable

Equitable, a principal franchise of Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH), has been one of America's leading financial services providers since 1859. With the mission to help clients secure their financial well-being, Equitable provides advice, protection and retirement strategies to individuals, families and small businesses. Equitable has more than 8,000 employees and Equitable Advisors financial professionals and serves 3 million clients across the country. Please visit equitable.com for more information.

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 Inequity to accelerate its mission in 25 high-priority locations over five years. Learn more at kaboom.org or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Last Edited: July 30, 2024