Local Volunteers Use Play to Improve Anaheim Kids’ Lives and Futures

The City of Anaheim, Anaheim Family YMCA, Disneyland Resort and KaBOOM! Celebrate Enriching the Lives of Kids and Families by Building a 6th Orange County Playground

Anaheim, Calif. (March 22, 2014) – More than 1,800 Anaheim children now have a new opportunity to engage in active play. An empty lot was transformed into a kid-designed playspace in less than eight hours at John Marshall Park in Anaheim with the help of more than 200 volunteers from the City of Anaheim, Anaheim Family YMCA (@AnaheimYMCA), Disney VoluntEARS (@CitizenDisney), organizers from KaBOOM! (@kaboom) and area residents.

“This playground is so much more than a place; it’s an opportunity for kids and families to come together around the importance of staying active and making healthy choices,” said Paul Andresen, CEO of the Anaheim Family YMCA. “Thanks to this collaboration, we are strengthening families and building a healthier future for our community. Together, we can do so much more.”

 “Today is a great day to play, thanks to our partners KaBOOM, Disney and the Y,” said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait.  “John Marshall Park is a highly used park, and a place for children to gather with their families and friends.  The new play equipment and renovated play area are tremendous.  I know Anaheim children will create great memories here for years to come.”

“Society’s well-being begins with a child’s well-being,” said Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! founder and CEO. “Thanks to the efforts from Disney and Anaheim, we moved one step closer to giving all kids the joyful childhood they deserve.”

A playground is more than a playground. It’s a brain-expander, friend-maker, and muscle-builder.  The design is based on children’s drawings created at a special event in January. Their ideas were then incorporated into the final playground design.

Since 1996, KaBOOM! has been dedicated to the goal of ensuring that all children engage in the active play they need to become healthy and successful adults because #PlayMatters. The new playground is one of many made possible with support from Disney as part of Magic of Healthy Living, an initiative that partners with parents to inspire kids to lead healthier lifestyles. By the end of 2014, Disney’s support will bring the magic of play to over 75,000 kids and families.

“Play is central to a child’s ability to grow into a healthy and productive adult,” said Kevin Callahan, vice president of community and engagement, corporate citizenship at Disney. “Disney is proud to join KaBOOM!  and accelerate efforts that move every child to play every day—at home, in school, and in the community. Together, we hope to make places to play more accessible, and inspire kids and families to stay active.”