KaBOOM! Forums

Hello Deanna!

I hope you've had some luck finding someone to join you and your daughter next week. I just wanted to let you know that we truly are looking forward to meeting you and the other Denver WE Play! attendees next week!  You all are in store for a fun-filled and informative workshop day with our BOOMERific! staff. 

Play on,

Kiva

Training and Education Coordinator

kwilson@kaboom.org

Welcome WE Play! Denver Attendees,

So far we have a great mix of organizations that will be joining you August 6th. In fact, there are over 45 organizations scheduled to attend. Take a look at the list below!

• People Making A Difference (PMAD)
• Mercy Housing Colorado
• Crossroads Educational
• R.S. Wells. LLC
• Southwest Oilfield Products
• Kodo Kids
• Cane Run Elementary School
• Colorado State University
• Catholic Charities
• Decatur Place Resident Council
• MSKC
• The Acorn School
• FrontRange Earth Force
• Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation
• Little Britches Learning Center
• Colorado Early Learning Center
• Samuels Elementary
• Comcast
• Oak Street Child Development Center
• Jones Lang LaSalle
• City of Norfolk
• Jump Into Learning
• AmeriCorps NCCC
• Town of Kersey
• Denver Public Schools
• Red Rocks Community College School
• Beach Court Elementary
• City of Louisville
• Olsson Associates
• Summit Recreation
• Cherry Hills Vista
• City of Boulder Parks and Recreation
• City of Lakewood
• Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District
• Alpha Phi Omega
• Timbers HOA
• Perk Hill Playground Inc.
• Thistle Community Housing
• Foothills Park and Recreation District
• Town of Erie
• Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center
• Magic Butte Services
• CPRI
• St. James Preschool
• South Dahlia Lane Community

Hello WE Play! Denver attendees,

Some of you may recall the KaBOOM! forums session where we rotated through a number of questions. Well you all generated some fantastic answers and ideas. Below you'll find a lengthy list of answers to seven questions generated by you!

-Kiva

What are some side-project ideas?

Check out the KaBOOM! list of side projects and plans!

• Edible garden
• Adult seating
• Picnic tables
• Playful landscaping
• Stepping Stones
• Hills
• Shade Structures
• Fountains/Splash Pads
• Art Murals
• Outdoor Classroom
• Teachers areas/Teaching areas
• Brick Purchase Signs
• Basketball Hoops
• Skateparks
• Multipurpose Courts (Hopscotch, Four-Square Grids too!)
• Horseshoes
• Amphitheatres
• Nature Trails
• Lighting/Solar-powered walkway lighting
• Musical equipment
• Outdoor kitchen/grill areas

What are new ways to promote play in our community?

Check out the Playmaker section of our website for lots of ideas, and subscribe to the "Things you can do today to support the cause of play" e-newsletter for a weekly tip!

• Provide community with facts about the importance of play and obesity statistics
• Promote parent/child play and interactions
• Newsletter
• Organize local and municipal level PLAY DAYS!
• Arrange mentoring between youth and adult athletes with young children.
• Go out and invite someone else to come play too!
• Have a grand re-opening at existing playspaces
• Highlight the connection between play and learning
• Adult Night Out at the Playground (have parents come play together and bring their kids too)
• Team up with Parks and Recreation to spread the word about playful events
• Start a Youth Advisory Board for Play
• Organize a Park Scavenger Hunt!
• SMILE!

How can we highlight existing playspaces for use in the community?

Learn how to plan a Play Day! Add your playspaces to the KaBOOM! Playspace Finder!

• Walkscore.com
• Local parks, schools, restaurants listed
• Newspaper notices highlighting playspace
• Put them on kaboom.org
• Create announcements/reminders for radio and TV press releases.
• Call 850 KOA and call out Gunny Bob
• Have a playground tour/field trip
• Organize a Play Day
• Send kids and adults to kaboom.org/playspacefinder to add playspaces and see which ones are already posted.
• Make sure parks are properly highlighted in Parks and Rec Information

What can we do to facilitate a “green” and “eco-friendly” build?

KaBOOM! green building resources

• Check out LEED Consulting
• Use recycled materials
• Recycle water bottles, cardboard boxes and other materials on build day
• Work so that your playspace builds into the surrounding area
• Solar lighting for walkway lighting
• Order materials from as many local providers as possible
• Have an edible garden on site
• Research each vendor's "green" practices
• Have recycling bins at the playspace for continuous use. You can start a compost pile too.
• Xeriscape

How can I spread the word about the importance of play?

Become a Playmaker!

• Media stories
• Post statistics (on fliers/posters) around park and town areas
• Tell people to check out kaboom.org
• Do a presentation at PTA/PTO meetings to share information we learned today
• Parent trainings
• Advocate for announcements on the PBS channel
• Create a Play Coalition/Alliance with a trickle-down education strategy
• Take your kids (and one of their friends) to the park
• Start a playgroup at the park. (Parents can connect regularly and play with their children)

As a parks and recreations organization, how do you generate excitement about play in fellow citizens?

• Community events @ parks
• Fliers about the recreation centers
• Play festival at all recreation centers
• Target schools in area to go out and talk to parents/families
• Community Sponsorship (Adopt-a-Park like Adopt-a-Road)
• Hold a block party and fundraiser to revitalize the nearest rec centers

I don’t intend to build a playground, but what can I do to advance the issue of play?

Become a Playmaker!

• Let other people know of potential build sites (use kaboom.org)
• Educate parents/teachers on the necessity/importance of play
• Encourage play dates on playgrounds
• Review/rate playgrounds on the website
• Volunteer!
• Become or support play advocates
• Donate your services or help other play advocates know of other resources that may help with a build
• Speak to City Council and School Boards
• Put a KaBOOM! website link on your community, school webpage