KABOOM! 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity

The KABOOM! 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity is our five-year, $250 million plan to end playspace inequity in 25 places, accelerating our efforts towards achieving our mission of ending playspace inequity for good across the United States.

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The health and well-being of our kids are deeply connected to the places where they live, learn, and play. Research confirms that play is a developmental necessity that sparks kids’ social, emotional, and physical development. Playgrounds are one of the few public spaces designed specifically for kids, and are an essential tool for fostering not only their well-being, but also a sense of belonging within their communities. However, far too many kids in America lack sufficient places to play, if they exist at all. This is especially true in Black and Brown communities already affected by decades of racialized disinvestment, resulting in lack of access to quality community resources - like playgrounds.

Our Bold Goal:
End playspace inequity in 25 places in 5 years

Playspace inequity is a problem with deep roots, but it is solvable and more urgent now than ever given the critical needs of children today. Over the next five years, we will collaborate across sectors to raise $250 million and identify 25 different places across the country to achieve equitable access to quality playspaces. With our Playce Partners, we are uniting with communities to end playspace inequity at the scale it exists, ensuring that every child can experience the critical developmental benefits of having quality places to play.

What is Playspace Inequity?
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Playspace inequity in communities

70-80%

70-80% of BIPOC census tracts lacked access to recreational facilities vs. 38% of predominantly white census tracts (National Institutes of Health)

5x

Parks in majority non-white neighborhoods are half as large and nearly 5x more crowded than parks that serve a majority white population. (Trust for Public Land)

Support the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity

There are many ways to support the 25 in 5 Initiative to help create systemic change for kids and communities across the country.

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    Become a Playce Partner

    We are building a coalition of 25 municipal agencies (school districts, parks and recreation departments, housing systems, etc.) and networks of nonprofit partners who are committed to addressing the urgent needs of kids.

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  • invest-1

    Invest in the 25 in 5 Initiative

    Your investment in KABOOM! can help us reach our goal to end playspace inequity.




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  • contentcard.community

    Become a Strategic Partner

    Our peer organizations strategically align with us in a variety of ways to improve child and community outcomes. Work with us to leverage our collective resources to accelerate efforts to end playspace inequity across the country.

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Achieving playspace equity across Baltimore will send the message that we believe in our youth and know they’re capable of the brightest possible future. Playgrounds profoundly impact our young people: they’re a place to sharpen skills that will serve them for a lifetime, build friendships, and feel a sense of belonging.

In line with my administration’s mission to prioritize youth, we want every young person across the city to be able to step onto a brand-new playground that they designed and their community built just for them so they can understand that they matter and that their community leaders see them and recognize their needs.”

Baltimore Mayor, Brandon M. Scott