Valley volunteers come together to build new playground for Mesa children

In early October, more than 100 volunteers from Fiesta Bowl Charities and Salt River Project joined KABOOM! to build a state-of-the-art playground at a local community center.

The new 2,000-square-foot play structure is for the east Valley after school program at A New Leaf in Mesa. The playground was designed from drawings submitted by children who attend A New Leaf, according to a press release.

A New Leaf is a community service for people in need. Since 1971, A New Leaf has provided assistance to families, children and adults.

According to its website, A New Leaf has helped:

• 2,200 people find housing and shelter services;
• 7,700 people helped by health and wellness;
• 6,385 people helped by domestic violence services;
• 804 people helped by family support services.

The facility also provides children foster care and education services.

SRP, KABOOM! and Fiesta Bowl Charities came together to provide the new playground — previously there was only one basketball court available to service outdoor play for children.

According to a press release, KABOOM! has teamed up with partners to build or improve 17,000 playspaces.

As part of the Fiesta Bowl Charities 2021-22 grant cycle, the group granted KABOOM! funding to help build this playground — the 10th build in Arizona by Fiesta Bowl Charities and KABOOM!, which is a national non-profit that works to achieve “playspace equity.” The project was sponsored by SRP.

Officials say the program will give children a safe, modern playspace to share, build relationships and grow.