Aspire Public Schools, Smile Generation and KABOOM! Unveil Kid Designed, Community Built Playground in Modesto, CA

Community organizations join forces to advance playspace equity and debut a new playground that includes a non-verbal communication sign.

MODESTO, CALIF. Sept 23, 2024 - Over the weekend, students at Aspire Summit Charter Academy in Modesto celebrated the reveal of their new kid-designed, community-built playground. The collaboration between Aspire Public Schools, Smile Generation and KABOOM! culminated with a ribbon-cutting after volunteers built the playspace over three days with input from students.

At the entrace of the new playground is a bilingual communication board for students who are nonverbal autistic. Aspire Summit Charter Academy's student body is 70% Latino and the board will help ensure all students can express themselves and play together. Students can point to pictures on the sign to communicate their thoughts and needs.

The project is part of a nationwide effort led by KABOOM! to make playspaces more accessible for all. Community members led the creation of the playground, from design to installation. In July, students from Aspire Summit Charter Academy began working on drawings of their dream playspaces and these ideas were integrated into the new playground design that hundreds of children will enjoy each year.

Aspire Public Schools believes that for students to be best prepared for success in college, career, and life, they must be supported holistically and that includes a safe, joyful place to play.

"It's essential to us that we offer our scholars a positive academic environment and joyful opportunities for play and creativity," said Zack Dickinson, principal of Aspire Summit Charter Academy. "We are so proud of our scholars who submitted their creative ideas that have been worked into this playspace design and we are deeply thankful to our community partners whose support has been instrumental in bringing this to life. It is truly wonderful to see that our youngest scholars will now have their very own developmentally appropriate space where they can explore, learn, grow, and experience the joy of play."

Playing is a critical developmental need that provides countless physical, social, and mental health benefits to children. KABOOM! is leading an effort to bring more playgrounds to students, especially in under-resourced communities. The new playground - tailored to meet the school's needs - will help ensure that all students can enjoy playtime together.

"Places to play are iconic parts of childhood where kids collect some of their best memories and experience the countless physical and mental health benefits of play," said Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!. "KABOOM! is excited to partner with Smile Generation and Aspire Public Schools to ensure that kids in Modesto have access to what they need to have a happy and healthy childhood."

Since 2010, Smile Generation has partnered with KABOOM! to build playgrounds across the U.S. This project marked the 20^th build, furthering the shared effort to end playspace inequity and ensure all kids, regardless of where they live, have a place to play.

"We're proud and honored to be a part of this 20^th playground build, especially as we combine playground equity and oral health equity," said Toreano Norris, Smile Generation Regional Parter. "The fact that - in addition to providing students with a safe, fun place to play - the playground will also ensure that students with different needs or abilities can enjoy this space is especially gratifying."