KaBOOM! Forums

Hello Cleveland WE Play! Participants,

We are excited to meet each of you in person at our upcoming training on August 7th. Please consider this a place to post your questions, ask your questions , and stay in touch with your fellow Cleveland attendees. Feel free to post a message before you arrive at the training to say hi or just let us know what's on your mind!

Yours in Play!

Danielle, Erin, Justin & Amanda (The WE Play! Team)

As promised here is the list of questions and responses generated by the group at the Cleveland WE play! feel free to add on additional responses.

Danielle

How do I go completing a community build in suburban communities?

• Contact City Hall , Community & Recreation Departments
• Discuss need with community
• Involve churches & other community groups
• Visit nonprofits
• Access need in the community
• Engage a local celebrity
• Contact local officials

How do I get people involved in the community build process?

• Contact regional organizations/nonprofits (volunteer)
• Host a kick-off event; onsite sign up
• Place a volunteer form on city website
• Canvas neighborhood
• Recruit at colleges/ universities & high schools
• Host a word meeting
• Survey community to gage interest
• Create a statement of need
• Highlight success stories
• Use incentives

Where can I find volunteers for my community build?

• Churches
• Community boards
• Neighborhood families
• PTA/PTO
• Project signs
• Cable access networks
• Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU)
• Scout troops
• Community bulletin boards
• “Animal” clubs (i.e. Elks, Moose)
• Chamber of Commerce
• Students & Student organizations
• Block Clubs
• Internet/ Blog
• RSVP Seniors
• Schools
• Motorcycle clubs

What businesses/ organizations would be willing to fund a playground?

• Local government
• Rotaries/ “Optimizers”
• Service Organizations
• Sports teams (Pro)
• Churches
• Celebrities
• News Stations
• Foundations

How can I ensure that my playspace is ADA accessible?

• Research current ADA guidelines
• Rely on vendors to supply
• KaBOOM! website
• Ask parent groups PTA/PTO
• Check with advocacy groups (ex. Dancing Wheels)
• Playground inspectors
• Park & Recreation boards
• Check with Social Services

What can I do to encourage parents in my community to play outside with their kids?

• Have a potluck/ community  cookout
• Plan activities for parents and kids to get involved in
• Model behavior for other parents
• Create a mom’s club/ play night
• Give out incentives for attendance

How should I begin the community build process of creating a playspace in my community?

• Do a playspace audit
• Build consensus by generating interest in the community
• Identify resources
• Assemble a committee
• Research the need
• Find a location to build
• Advertise

How can I advocate for the cause of play?

• Build community awareness through newsletters, play days, flyers
• Talk about health issues- Obesity & Children
• Host a festival, neighborhood concert, bike-a-thon, little leaguer/ football game in support of play
• Create a website or blog
• Engage local government and activities
• Design a special event and cross promote with existing activities
• Hand out door hangers/ flyers
• Hold reverse raffles and clam bakes

The training was an absolute blast.  I took some great ideas back to our committee, program workers, and parents who also have contact with the children who will eventually be using the playground, which will be completed in August of 2009 if not slightly sooner.  I enjoyed meeting some new folks at the same time and the food was delish!

We're wrapping up our application and will be submitting friday morning.  Thank you for the assistance.  Again, great training.  I actually took back ideas for management and leadership, and using ingenuity and fun in the workplace.  I loved the format of the training-the colors and crayons kept us all entertained.  Good job, Danielle, Erin, Justin and Amanda!

Laurel Wirtanen-Siloy, Berea Children's Home & Family Services.  www.bchfs.org