NHL Team, Community join forces with nonprofit to advance playspace equity in New York

Today, kids at the Cross Island YMCA are celebrating the debut of a kid-designed, community-built playground that expands the YMCA of Greater New York's commitment to providing safe, welcoming spaces where children can play, learn, and thrive across the five boroughs. The months-long collaboration between YMCA of Greater New York, the New York Islanders/Islanders Children’s Foundation, and KABOOM! culminated this week as more than 130 volunteers built the new playspace that will spark joy and foster a sense of belonging for hundreds of kids each year.

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 YMCA of Greater New York, Islanders Children’s Foundation, and KABOOM! to protect and create spaces where every kid can grow, play, and thrive. The Cross Island YMCA serves more than ​15,000​ children and families every year, ​and this new playspace builds on its longstanding commitment to supporting youth development, healthy living, and stronger communities.​​

​​"Creating safe, welcoming spaces where children can play, build confidence, and thrive is at the heart of what we do at the YMCA of Greater New York," said ​​John Jopek, Executive Director of the Cross Island YMCA. ​​"Our families helped design this playground, so when children run onto it for the first time, they'll see their own ideas brought to life. We are grateful to our partners at KABOOM! and the Islanders Children's Foundation for giving the children and ​​families we serve the​​ opportunity to help shape a space they'll enjoy for years to come."​​​

Playing is the essence of childhood and is a critical developmental need that provides countless physical, social, and mental health benefits. However, far too many children, especially in communities of color, do not have a place to play near where they live or learn. The new playground at the Cross Island YMCA, designed with the neighborhood’s unique needs and aspirations in mind, brings Cross Island one step closer toward ending playspace inequity and ensuring that no matter where a child lives or their background, they have limitless opportunities and joyful childhoods that are centered around play.

“Playgrounds are an iconic part 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 thrilled to work with our partners to bring to life the new playspace at the Cross Island YMCA and ensure that generations of kids in Queens and beyond can grow up happy and healthy through access to playspaces where they feel they are valued and belong. Especially in the increasingly challenging environment our kids are growing up in today, it is critical for us to protect and create safe playspaces for kids to realize their fullest potential.”

As KABOOM! celebrates its 30th year, the organization is expanding its capacity to build and transform playspaces where need is greatest. KABOOM! is prioritizing public-private partnerships, data-driven research, policy, and advocacy to advance systems-level change across municipalities and school districts, ensuring children’s physical and mental health is centered in how communities plan for the future—so every kid can grow up happy, healthy, and thriving.

The Islanders Children’s Foundation has provided support for the new playground through its partnership with KABOOM!, furthering its commitment to ending playspace inequity.

“With the Cross Island YMCA located right in the backyard of UBS Arena, these kids and families are the very heart of our community, and investing in our neighbors will always be a top priority,” said Kelly Cheeseman, President of Business Operations for the Islanders and UBS Arena. “Play is a fundamental part of childhood, and we are proud to team up with KABOOM! and the YMCA of Greater New York to deliver a safe, vibrant space where local youth can learn, thrive, and create lasting memories.”