Enter the world of KaBOOM!, and you will be introduced to a very unique place. In fact, it might be well termed as one of the most playful places on earth. This organization was created after Darell Hammond heard about the death of two children who had been playing in a car, as there was no other place for them to play. Hammond and friend Dawn Hutchison then decided to do whatever they could to provide a safe play place within walking distance of every child in the United States. So began the set up of the first office, in the back of the Comet Deli in Washington D.C. in 1995, and what a great idea that was. This organization has grown and touched so many lives since then with its playful spirit.
Everything and everyone from staff down to the atmosphere of the office speaks “play.” It is a brightly colored place, with a foosball table in the break room, and other playful details such as a very colorful and fun mural of children playing on one wall. There’s nothing stuffy about this place where play is created. As you walk through the halls of its office, one of the first things you’ll find are things to play with, including a swing and slide in the foyer. Working your way back you’ll find the “Values of Play” depicted on its walls by photos of children at play.
The phrase “It starts with a playground” resounds in your thoughts as you walk from the front door to the conference room the staff calls “Babble-On” with the beautiful view of the woods with the stream running through. It seems impossible to have a stressful day at work with KaBOOM!
If you have ever participated in a build, you’ll likely not feel much stress as a participant because its staff of close to 100 organized professionals have taken care of all the details so you can enjoy the experience of building a playground in just one day. Sound like an impossible feat? It happens all the time around the country, thanks to KaBOOM!
It takes a lot of energy and dedication for the staff at KaBOOM! to do their jobs.
There are plenty of details to take care of though prior to build day, and past Project Manager Caleb Marshall can tell you how much planning goes into executing a seamless build day. He meets with the organization for which the build will happen starting with their design day and oversees the project from start to finish. There are about 23 project managers stationed in the four different offices in San Francisco, Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Chicago. These offices are all staffed with professionals who are well-versed in the KaBOOM! model and can help you bring your playspace from design to build day.
About every two years KaBOOM! has gone through an RFP process for a “partner in play” which at the time of this writing was Playworld Systems. In the past, this has meant that this manufacturer’s equipment is used in the builds. KaBOOM! has broadened this lately though by making Playworld the main vendor and adding eight other preferred vendors. Other vendors may apply for preferred vendor status by contacting KaBOOM!
Three wood fiber vendors have been selected to provide the surfacing, and usually, the one with the specifications needed for the particular build, with the right bid and the closest plant to the building site is selected for each respective build.
One of the really neat things about the way these playground projects are completed is the KaBOOM! community build model, which can be used for any project. The same elements can apply whether you are building an ice rink, skate park, or playground.
Community builds are a great way to get people in the community involved. In fact, KaBOOM! staff members have seen some great things happen for people who started out making a difference in their community through participation in various stages. Sometimes it’s this kind of activity that spurs someone into going on to participate in some other activity or job they might not have ever attempted. So it is not only a community build, it builds the community.
You don’t have to be working on a brand new playspace either to get KaBOOM! involved. It also helps seed communities who might need a little help with funding. This means they help these communities add to an existing playground. There are things such as challenge grants through KaBOOM! that can help out with these and ground-up projects as well. You can apply via its website at kaboom.org.
One of the things that happens when you work with KaBOOM! to build a playground is gaining a strong sense of community beyond your own community. A lot of that happens through online communication from the time you register.
As of April 30, 2008, KaBOOM! has directly led the building of 1,405 playspaces since its inception. Most of these are playgrounds but included are sports fields, ice rinks, and skate parks.
The goal to complete 1,000 playspaces in 1,000 days with Home Depot has also been met. This included grants awarded to communities to build playgrounds, which is not included in the previous total.
Having a safe play space is not only important to children in a normal life situation, but is especially important in the healing process for children who have been through any type of trauma. It has also raised more than $100 million on behalf of supporting the cause of play.
You have to respect an organization that is touching so many lives and continuing to work toward the best interest of children, who are the future of our world. It is also committed to helping with the “green” effort as much as it can with its builds, which is another KaBOOM! benefit. The whole staff, from the CEO down, is committed to making the world a better place, and they are doing it one playground at a time.
