The Town of Lake Lure to Unveil Kid-Designed, Community-Built Playground with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and KABOOM! at Morse Park

KABOOM! envisions a world where safe and amazing places to play exist for every child in America so that kids can grow up happy and healthy.

Children today are growing up in more challenging environments with fewer opportunities for unstructured play and limited access to nature, combating increased screen time and other societal pressures that may negatively affect their physical and mental health. In response, it is critical for the Town of Lake Lure, Blue Cross NC, and KABOOM! to protect and create spaces where every kid can grow, play, and thrive.

That need became even more urgent after Tropical Storm Helene, which had a devastating impact on Lake Lure and destroyed some of the landmarks and amenities that the community so enjoyed. The loss was deeply felt by children and families, who have been without a safe place to gather, play, and heal. Rebuilding this playground is more than replacing equipment, it is about restoring hope, fostering resilience, and bringing the community back together.

This new playspace with the Town of Lake Lure and Blue Cross NC is part of a nationwide effort led by KABOOM! to ensure children from all communities get the chance to play on a playground, something that should be part of every child’s life. Their work is to ensure every kid can experience the numerous physical, social, and mental health benefits of play regardless of background or where they live.

Community members led the creation of the playground, from design to installation. In July, kids from Lake Lure shared drawings of their dream playspaces with project organizers. These ideas were integrated into the new playground design. This project represents progress in ensuring every kid has a place to play, providing a state-of-the-art playground that will serve as a source of joy, connection, and resilience for years to come.

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KABOOM! continues to make progress on its 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity through new partnerships with a goal of accelerating efforts in 25 municipal systems toward achieving their mission at scale across the United States.

To learn how partners can join KABOOM! in their efforts to end playspace inequity, visit kaboom.org/25-in-5.

For more information, visit kaboom.org.