News: 60 Volunteers Sought to Build New KABOOM! Playspace at Elks Park

Date Published	Author
8/21/2025 12:00:00 AM	Alison Rodes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alison Rodes
Phone:  847-869-5640
Email: arodes@ridgeville.org
Date: August 21, 2025

Evanston, IL – This September, community volunteers will roll up their sleeves and transform Elks Park into a vibrant new playspace — all in just one day. The community build, in partnership with KABOOM! and Discover, will take place Wednesday, September 24, with Prep Days on Monday, September 22, and Tuesday, September 23.

No experience is necessary — just a willingness to help and a desire to create joy for local children. Volunteers of all abilities are welcome, and there are jobs for everyone: building playground structures, painting, mixing concrete, planting, and light-duty tasks like sorting parts and serving food.

Details:

• Where: Elks Park, 301 Callan Ave., Evanston, Illinois
• Prep Days: Mon 9/22 & Tue 9/23 – 8:00 am–4:00 pm
• Build Day: Wed 9/24 – 8:00 am–3:00 pm (ribbon cutting at 2:30)
• Register: http://tinyurl.com/BuildItAtElks

“Play is essential to every child’s growth and well-being,” said Marlon Rodas, Executive Director at Ridgeville Park District. “We’re inviting the whole community to be part of something amazing — in just a few days, we’ll turn an empty space into a place filled with laughter, imagination, and connection.”

“KABOOM! believes every kid deserves a safe, fun place to play,” said KABOOM! Associate Director of Project Management Jomil de Jesus. “These builds are powered by the community — and there’s no better feeling than seeing kids play on something you helped create.”
Note: Media Opportunities:

• Best photo/video times: Build Day (Wed 9/24) from 10:30–11:30 am and 1:30–2:30 pm (ribbon cutting ceremony at 2:30).
• Vibrant visuals: community members building structures, painting murals, planting greenery, and unveiling the new playspace.

For updates and ways to get involved, visit www.ridgeville.org.
Groups and Individuals who would like to sign up can go to http://tinyurl.com/BuildItAtElks


About Ridgeville Park District
The Ridgeville Park District serves Evanston’s 8th Ward and surrounding neighborhoods, offering inclusive programs, vibrant events, and welcoming green spaces that connect our diverse community.

About Elks Park
Elks Park is situated on Mulford Street and Callan Avenue in south Evanston. Currently, the large park is home to a baseball diamond and a community garden.

About KABOOM!
KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending playspace inequity – the reality that quality places to play are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with kids and communities to create or transform 17,000+ playspaces and ensure that more than 12 million kids have equitable access to the critical benefits and opportunities that playspaces offer. 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. Learn more at?kaboom.org?or join the conversation on?Facebook,?Instagram, and?LinkedIn.