United Way of Southern Cameron County has partnered with the City of Brownsville, RGV Focus and Kaboom to increase access to a new, kid-designed playground in an area experiencing a play desert such as the Monte Bella Park.
“This is actually a project that was started a little over a year and a half ago but we had to put a pause due to the pandemic,” Wendy De Leon, development and communication director at United Way of Southern Cameron County, said.
“It’s important because we are trying to establish a playground where there is a play desert and we want the community to be a part of it. This is a playground that’s going to be designed and built by the community and it’s going to be for the community.”
De Leon said they have gathered drawings and surveys of more than 150 residents to get all the information together and select the items that will be included in the playground that is set to be finished by the end of September.
“What we’ve seen is that slides are a must, so we are going to have two slides on the playground,” she said.
“The Monte Bella Park is beautiful, there are trails and there’s a lot of open land but there isn’t a play space, and Kaboom’s mission is to get rid of play space inequality.”
De Leon said Kaboom awarded a grant to RGV Focus to build a playground in an area where there is a play desert. The park will be build by community volunteers starting in September.
“We are going to be organizing groups by week to go and build the playground. And then, Kaboom is going to step in with their professionals and finalize everything. The playground will be open to play with by, I assume, the following week,” she said.
This past year, as city and county parks closed, kids saw less physical activity. The project partners believe that play and physical activity is essential to the development, resilience, and health of children, a press release reads.
This playspace not only works to help end playspace inequity but also creates a new place for kids to play that reflects our community’s unique needs and aspirations.
“United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in the community. And that includes our kiddos, because they’re the future of our community.”
Those interested in volunteering can reach out to United Way of Southern Cameron County at (956) 548-6880.
