LAVALE - Playgrounds are more than monkey bars and swings to John Holt of LaVale. As chairman of the Parkside Elementary School playground committee, Holt has traveled to Chicago and New Orleans to attend playground conferences.

"The goal is to build a playground, but more than that, it is to build a community," said Holt.

Conference attendees learn how to involve community volunteers in playground projects, said Holt. The University of Play workshops are offered by Kaboom, a national nonprofit organization that provides need-based funding for playground projects, educates planners and provides playground resources. Home Depot is a co-sponsor of the conference.