Giving 400 Milwaukee kids the opportunity to play safely: Volunteers team up for "blitz build"

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- More than 225 volunteers came together on Thursday, September 18th for a one-day "blitz build" -- putting together a new playground in Milwaukee's Harambee neighborhood.

Volunteers from CarMax, the Riverworks Development Corporation, the city of Milwaukee, LISC Milwaukee's Harambee Neighborhood Initiative, and organizers from KaBOOM! came together to give area kids a new playground to explore, imagine and create.

The playground's design is based on children’s drawings created at a special design event in August.

This project builds on successful projects along Keefe Avenue to close down a nuisance tavern, improve corner stores, create inviting public spaces, and build a community center. These efforts have been led by RiverWorks Development Corporation in partnership with residents, law enforcement officials and public and private sector partners.

The playground will serve as a physical symbol of the neighborhood’s progress towards improvements in health and safety.

The current playground at the Harambee Tot Lot is run-down and has been a source of ongoing concern for neighbors. The new playground will bring more than 400 kids in Milwaukee one step closer to the playful childhood they deserve.

Building this playground together with the help of local residents and other community volunteers provides an accessible, quality play space for Harambee children and families, and contributes to the overall safety and vitality of the neighborhood.

Since 1996, KaBOOM! has been dedicated to the bold goal of ensuring that all children get the balanced and active play they need to thrive because KaBOOM! believes #playmatters for all kids.

Through a $4.1 million partnership, The CarMax Foundation and KaBOOM! will build 30 playgrounds across the United States by the end of 2015, giving more than 100,000 children the joyful childhood they deserve.