KABOOM! a Year Later

Last year the leading architects of "playspace equity," KABOOM!, transformed our play area at YWCA Midtown. And this summer, we've been soaking up all the fun the space has offered our little learners.

How we got here

In 2017, YWCA Midtown was left without a playground when the equipment was deemed unsafe. Emily O’Gara, our director of institutional giving,  said, "In 2014, we put our hat in the ring, hoping to be KABOOM!’s next project. So we were thrilled to get the call telling us that Welly stepped up to build our new play space!"

READ ABOUT THE FULL TRANSFORMATION

Play matters!

This year our KABOOM! playspace has been a hit among children. Preschoolers and school-agers have been using the playground daily and look forward to it throughout the day. Being immersed in colorful decals of sea life, rainforest and unicorn scenes helps spark their imaginations.

Close-up looks of the playspace fence

”I like all of the colors around the playground!" say many of our Walruses (preschool children)

Each day students and teachers use the spinner to spin and relax, the rock climber and the slides. But they utilize the space more than the structures themselves by planning many games of tag and hot lava with each other. We often hear children telling their parents what they are playing on and how much fun they are having!

“When I come to pick my child up, I see them having so much fun using the playground. He loves it so much that he gets to upset if I pick him up early!" — Early Childhood Education Parent

Above all else, YWCA Minneapolis recognizes the importance of play. We want to thank our community partners and KABOOM! for investing in our Early Childhood Education Center.LEARN MORE ABOUT YWCA EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONSCHEDULE A TOUR