A new era of playground begins today in Apopka

Partners join forces to create a new playground at Lake Avenue Park

From the City of Apopka

WHAT: More than 200 volunteers from Foresters Financial™ (@weareforesters), the City of Apopka (@cityofapopka1), organizers from KaBOOM! (@kaboom) and residents of the Apopka community will join forces to give area kids the childhood they deserve by building a new playground at Lake Avenue Park. The design is based on children’s drawings created at a special design event in January.

WHEN: Today

8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Foresters Family Fun Zone (arts & crafts, games & more for children and families)

8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. - Kick-off ceremony and volunteer deployment

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Best viewing of playground construction

1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Final construction phase

2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate playground

WHERE: Lake Avenue Park at 439 North Lake Avenue in Apopka

WHY: Lake Avenue Park is in need of rebuilding. The old playground was badly weathered and poorly maintained. Eventually, the City of Apopka had to tear down much of the unsafe structure. The new playground will provide a safe place for area children to enjoy. Over its 15 year lifespan, the new playground will eventually serve more than 1,200 children and their families in the community, providing them with a safe place to play.

Playgrounds provide an opportunity for families to spend quality time together and get to know other families in their community. A playground is more than a playground. It’s a brain-expander, friend-maker, and muscle-builder. It’s a pillar of the community.

Foresters Financial, an international financial services provider, helps families reach their financial goals, protect themselves and make a lasting difference in their communities. Since 2006, Foresters has invested more than $13 million with KaBOOM! to build over 140 playgrounds across the U.S. and Canada by the end of 2017.

Over their 15-year lifespan, these playgrounds will strengthen the community and provide more than 5 million children and their families with an opportunity to spend quality time together. KaBOOM! works to bring balanced and active play into the daily lives of all children, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. #playmatters.