Children and adults in Clairton will have a new playground to enjoy this fall thanks to the combined efforts of the Community Economic Development Corp. of Clairton, The Junior League of Pittsburgh and KaBoom!
“We want to have a park area for adults to sit down in and playground equipment for the kids,” said Mary Glover, co chair of the KaBoom Playground Committee and CEDCC member.
Located at the corner of Reed and Michell streets in Clairton, the playground will be built by volunteers Sept. 20.
NEW PLAYGROUND SITE—From left: Nasir Cleveland, Kristina Studevick, Martin Lawrence, Mary Glover, program coordinator, Cheryl Hurt, president of CEDCC and Rich Ford, city councilman, looking over the lot.
“The volunteers don’t need to have experience,” Glover said. “We’ll be broken up into teams and given specific assignments. Volunteers will be given meals throughout the day.”
The playground is the brainchild of about 40 Clairton children who put crayon to paper to construct their dream play area.
CEDCC officials say the playground cost is approximately $40,000. The majority of the project will be funded by the Junior League of Pittsburgh, an organization of women committed to helping improve communities through volunteerism and the leadership of trained volunteers.
“KaBoom! helped us select the area through an application process and we put forth the funds,” said Alicia Andrews, Junior League of Pittsburgh representative and KaBoom! committee chairperson.
The remainder of the money, about $7,500, came from the Community Economic Development Corp. of Clairton. The nonprofit, volunteer organization was created in 1987 as a grass roots effort to improve economic conditions in Clairton.
“This playground is all a part of building up the south side of Clairton. We’re building up the neighborhood and the playground will service more than 100 kids who live in the neighborhood,” said Cheryl Hurt, CEDCC president. “We’re very excited to have been selected by KaBoom! It’ll offer people a recreational area and a safe environment.”
Mike Vietti, KaBoom! communications manager said Clairton was the perfect place for its next playground. KaBoom! has erected playgrounds in Turtle Creek and on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
KaBoom! is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that believes a great place to play is in walking distance of every child in America.
“We strive to help communities rebuild themselves and if we can help a community come together to build a playground in one day, anything is possible and great things can happen,” Vietti said.
Vietti said volunteers are needed to mix thousands of pounds of concrete and move bags of mulch. He’s hoping that 200-250 people will come out and take part in building the playground.
“Anyone can come out and participate in building the playground,” Vietti said.
(For more information on the Clairton playground project, call the CEDCC at 412-226-1587.)