Local Community and Powell Foundation Collaborate to Create a Child-Centric, Accessible Playground for Huntsville Children
HUNTSVILLE, TX -The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation on Friday, June 23, in Huntsville, as Samuel W. Houston Elementary School proudly unveiled its new cutting-edge playground.
This remarkable playground is the product of an alliance between Huntsville ISD, Samuel W. Houston Elementary, the Powell Foundation, and the community. It stands as a testament to a concerted effort to bridge the ‘playspace inequity’ chasm – a nationwide initiative driven by KABOOM!. The playground, designed to inspire joy and foster a sense of belonging, will serve the physical, social, and mental health needs of children in Huntsville.
Representatives from KABOOM! present at the event expressed their gratitude, stating, “We built this lovely playground over the last four days. Over 220 bags of concrete were mixed for this project. A lot of hard work has happened over the last four days, with about 100 volunteers helping.”
Launched by KABOOM! in 2022, the ’25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity’ embarked on a five-year journey to eliminate the issue nationwide. The newly installed playground at Samuel W. Houston Elementary marks a significant milestone in this mission.
Community participation was a key aspect of the project, starting with the children of Samuel W. Houston Elementary who provided drawings of their dream playgrounds. These imaginative ideas were incorporated into the playground’s final design.
Samuel Walker Houston Elementary Principal, Natasha Simmons, expressed her admiration for the commitment shown by the volunteers, stating, “I was so impressed with the first day when I showed up with all the volunteers.” She extended her gratitude towards the business community in Huntsville, which generously provided breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Echoing her sentiments, Bill Roberts from Huntsville ISD Student Service and Operations, acknowledged, “This week was long, but leading up to this week was also very long.” He expressed his gratitude towards KABOOM! and all the volunteers involved in this vital project.
Aligned with the Powell Foundation’s commitment to creating accessible public spaces, the playground serves as a place where children and families can connect, learn, and play. To support KABOOM! in their efforts to end playspace inequity, visit kaboom.org/25-in-5.
