Play Everywhere
Design Challenge

Official Rules Winners

The Play Everywhere Design Challenge, supported by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, awarded $1 million to communities in Southeast Michigan and Western New York

KABOOM! and the Built to Play initiative, supported by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, proudly present the Play Everywhere Design Challenge. This design challenge awarded $1 million to communities building landmark playspaces that, when construction is completed, will provide kids with equitable opportunities to play.

Built to Play

Exclusive to Western New York and Southeast Michigan communities, the Play Everywhere Challenge Design Challenge invited communities to submit creative design ideas that make it easier for families to incorporate play into everyday moments. Winning projects will bring play into public spaces in unconventional ways — such as implementing swings at bus stops or play zones at laundromats — in neighborhoods that have experienced significant disinvestment.

Design for the

Eligibility

This year, winners will have the unique opportunity to team up with design experts to support the development and potential execution of their concept. Each of the announced winners partnered with designers they already knew or were matched up with by KABOOM!.

To be eligible, the project must be within the following regions:

Southeast Michigan counties: Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne

Western New York counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Monroe and Wyoming

In addition, the applicant must be either a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit; a federal, state, or local governmental body or agency; or an entity or individual partnering with a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit acting as a fiscal sponsor.

Finally, all applicants must agree to and comply with the Play Everywhere Design Challenge Official Rules.

About Built to Play

The Built to Play initiative aims to give kids in Western New York and Southeast Michigan more opportunities for unstructured, kid-driven free play. This need was identified in the regional "State of Play" reports conducted by the Aspen Institute and supported by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and through research conducted by both The Skatepark Project and KABOOM!.

In addition to the Play Everywhere Challenge, Built to Play is also funding Unique Playground Builds through KABOOM! and Community Skateparks through The Skatepark Project across both regions. Learn more about the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and these opportunities by visiting www.RWBuiltToPlay.org.

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and KABOOM! logos