An international financial services corporation, a national non-profit, a local community organization, and hundreds of volunteers have banded together to build a brand new playground in Detroit.
Tucked in the northwest corner of the city, Freedom Path Park was built in the neighborhood near the intersection of Seven Mile and Telegraph roads.
Local neighborhood group Grand Seven Detroit applied for and received a grant from national non-profit KaBOOM! They also received funding from Toronto, Ontario-based financial services provider Foresters Financial.
Representatives for those organizations and volunteers from throughout the community joined together on Saturday, Sept. 15 to construct the playground. More than 325 volunteers attended the event, constructing the playground within six hours. That number exceeds Foresters' initial prediction of 200 volunteers.
"This is an area currently undergoing significant revitalization efforts," says Foresters manager of sales engagement, Kaylie McCann.
"This is not just a playground but a centerpiece for the community."
The playground itself covers 4,200 square feet and includes a 9-foot slither slide, climbing walls, monorail, musical panels, a zipline, picnic tables, and more.
According to numbers provided by Foresters, the playground will provide more than 800 children and their families a place to play. This year, Foresters is celebrating the funding of its 150th playground throughout North America.
"It's really hard to get government funding for things like new parks. That's why we're doing this," McCann says.
"We want to help in Detroit's revitalization efforts while providing kids a safe and healthy place to play."
Freedom Path Park is located at 19250 Lenore Ave. in Detroit.
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