Third Street Park kids’ playground expecting a makeover

As part of the third annual day of community service, IU Health is providing the funds to refurbish Third Street Park with new equipment.

IU Health employees will work with a team of volunteers from KaBOOM!, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, The Project School and various members of the community to combine their efforts to upgrade the park built in 1994.

The project will take place May 20. This day will also feature rebuilds of two other parks in Indianapolis as well as many other park improvements across Indiana, all funded by IU Health.

IU Health Media Relations Coordinator Amanda Roach is working to manage hospital and Bloomington participation in the project.

“Our goal is to do things to help childhood obesity and diabetes, which includes means of physical activity,” Roach said. “Building a playground gets kids to go out and play safe, have fun and gives them something they like to do.”

KaBOOM!, a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 by Darell Hammond, is also a collaborator.

Communication Manager of KaBOOM! Mike Vietti said volunteers are committed to altering the statistic that only one in five children live within walking distance of a playground.

“A playground is where children learn to be children,” Vietti said. “They play, learn life lessons and negotiate with others. A neighborhood without a playground is not complete.”

Typically KaBOOM! assists 200 playground builds per year.

Students of The Project School were asked to draw their dream playground. KaBOOM! volunteers used these to design the new layout of the park during a design day held in March.

“Play among children is often viewed as a luxury, but in reality, it’s a necessity,” Vietti said. “A lot of issues can be solved if children have a great place to play.”

Dave Williams, operations director of the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, said Bloomington’s reputation preceded the proposal and helped them get the funding.

“In order to even be considered by KaBOOM! for the grant and the funding that comes with it, you have to show you are willing to spend time organizing countless committees, committing people to showing up on build day and showing energy and enthusiasm to make it happen,” Williams said.

Materials will be delivered to the site May 18 and 19. The build will then, essentially, be completed in one day, Williams said.

Vietti said an estimated 2,000 children will use the playground on a regular
basis.

Roach also said the emphasis on collaboration has played a major part in the process.

“We couldn’t have had a better group to work with on this project,” Roach said. “We are really excited about build day and getting to see everything come together.”

MORE INFO
For more information and volunteer opportunities, visit thirdstreetplaygroundbuild.wordpress.com.