YWCA Minneapolis Unveils Kid-Designed, Community-Built Playground in Midtown

The YWCA Minneapolis Midtown, 2121 E Lake Street, is the most visited YWCA Minneapolis facility, averaging more than 13,000 check-ins per month, over the past six months, in what is perhaps the most economically-challenged and culturally-diverse community in the city. This community is finding the YWCA vital to their lives - in the form of child care, youth programs, fitness and social awareness.

In 2017, YWCA Minneapolis Midtown playground equipment was deemed no longer safe and it was removed. Since then, the space has been a simple outdoor play area for our young participants. 

Last week, Welly Health PBC and KABOOM! partnered with YWCA Minneapolis to build a playground at their Midtown facility in the heart of the Corcoran neighborhood. Together, they are dedicated to ensuring all kids have equitable access to places to play so they can learn and thrive to help end playspace inequity.

Here is a clip of KARE11's coverage.

Photo credit: Rachel Palomo, YWCA Senior Marketing Specialist

"Play is essential to healthy development, and we are dedicated to supporting the communities where we live, work and play to live life to the fullest," said Laura Conlon, Vice President of Marketing at Welly. "We are excited to see this new project come to life and support kids in the community where Welly was founded and with amazing partners like YWCA Minneapolis and KABOOM!.”

Because Welly was founded in Minneapolis, this project with YWCA Minneapolis hits home to the full team and community. Together, Welly and KABOOM! are committed to ensuring that children in the Early Childhood Education program at YWCA Minneapolis will have the opportunity to experience the simple joys of childhood that begin on the playground. In April, Welly donated $120,000 to support the design and construction in the resurging Midtown community. Members of the program, including children, participated in the design and planning process in May, culminating in an unveiling of the completed playspace July 15 at YWCA’s Midtown location - for use by YWCA Minneapolis.

YWCA Minneapolis has been building an inclusive community, furthering racial and gender equity, empowering women and girls to be leaders, and improving health and wellness for over 130 years. From health access to racial justice, the leaders of YWCA Minneapolis have long been at the forefront of change. Last year alone, YWCA programs helped 720+ children receive high-quality, anti-bias education, 5,000+ individuals learn about civic engagement and how to combat racial inequities, 1,250+ girls and youth become creators of change in their community, and 24,200+ fitness members achieve better health and wellness. YWCA Minneapolis has been building stronger and more open-minded communities for 130+ years.

“These challenging times make capital expenditures like play spaces almost unimaginable, but thanks to this exciting partnership with like-minded organizations like KABOOM! and Welly, YWCA Minneapolis is able to give our children precisely what they deserve and need - a play space that provides a foundation for social-emotional connection. Play is essential, and our children later draw upon skills for collaboration rooted in play in their lifelong learning journeys. Our gratitude for this partnership will be enduring.” – Shelley Carthen Watson, President and CEO, YWCA Minneapolis.”

“Playgrounds are an iconic and important part of childhood. They’re not only where kids collect some of their best memories, but also where crucial skills are developed that nurture their physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” said Danielle Turnage, vice president of development at KABOOM!. “KABOOM! is thrilled to work with Welly to build a new playspace in Minneapolis to ensure that kids have a place designed just for them, where they can play, learn, and unlock their greatest potential.”

Last year, YWCA Minneapolis served more than 30,000 people in our community through high-quality programs and advocacy focused on racial justice, early learning, youth development and wellness. To learn more, visit ywcampls.org or join the conversation at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.