Last Update: June 9, 2023
The playgrounds are now complete! Shannon Duncan, HISD Director of Communications represented the District at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 8 at the new playground at Huntsville Elementary School, and shared the following:
“On behalf of the Huntsville ISD Board of Trustees and District Administration, we welcome you and we thank you for participating in the new playground build. We are so appreciative of the partnership we have with Kaboom! and for the generous support and funding from the Powell Foundation. Without this partnership, our playground build would not be possible. We want to thank everyone who has had a hand in the build from staff members, students, and parents to church and community volunteers! We also want to thank the many businesses and restaurants for the food and snack donations throughout the week. Your hard work and community spirit have made this new playspace happen for our kids. We know this playground will bring lots of joy and a safe place to play for our children for many years to come.”
Estella Stewart Elementary Build Photos
Huntsville Elementary Build Photos
Original Article: June 1, 2023
Huntsville Independent School District (ISD), in partnership with KABOOM! and the Powell Foundation, is set to unveil two kid-designed, community-built playgrounds at both Estella Stewart Elementary School and Huntsville Elementary School as part of a nationwide effort to end playspace inequity. This initiative strives to ensure that every child, particularly children of color, has access to a playground – an integral part of every child’s life.
The official unveiling will take place on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at both locations. At Estella Stewart Elementary School, located at 3400 Boettcher Drive, Huntsville, TX, volunteers will commence playground construction at 8:00 AM with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and photo opportunities scheduled for 2:30 PM. Campus Principal Shannon Williams, Superintendent Dr. Scott Sheppard, or a member of his Executive Leadership Team, will be in attendance and available for questions.
Simultaneously, at Huntsville Elementary School, situated at 87 Martin Luther King Drive, Huntsville, TX, the same schedule of events will unfold. Campus Principal Christy Cross, along with Superintendent Dr. Scott Sheppard or a representative from his Executive Leadership Team, will offer remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and be available for interviews.
These two playgrounds are the fruits of collaborative efforts from community volunteers, Huntsville ISD, Estella Stewart Elementary, Huntsville Elementary, and the Powell Foundation. The playgrounds were designed with input from the kids themselves who shared drawings of their dream playspaces in March. These ideas were incorporated into the new playground designs, demonstrating the value of community-led creations.
Representatives from Huntsville ISD, the Powell Foundation, and KABOOM! will be present at both locations to shed more light on how they collaborated with the kids to envision and build these community-centric playgrounds. Media attendees can collect photos and b-roll of volunteers constructing the playgrounds.
This endeavor represents a stride forward in KABOOM!’s 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity, launched in 2022. The aim is to accelerate efforts towards achieving their mission of eliminating playspace inequity across the United States within five years. With these new playgrounds, over 1100 children will have access to state-of-the-art playspaces where they can enjoy the numerous physical, social, and mental health benefits of play, fostering a sense of belonging and joy regardless of their background or where they live.
Both projects reflect the Powell Foundation’s dedication to creating accessible public spaces where children and families can connect, play, and learn, aligning with its overarching mission to empower children, families, and individuals with the conditions, supports, and skills necessary to thrive. To learn how partners can join KABOOM! in their efforts to end playspace inequity, visit kaboom.org.
