FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2023
Media Contact: Angel Waldron, 301-446-3311
Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Hour Generation Foundation, Faithful 2 The Grind, LLC, and KABOOM! Unveil New Multi-Sport Court at Jesse J. Warr, Jr. Recreation Building to Complete Kid-Designed, Community-Built Playspace
Community joins forces with nonprofit to advance playspace equity in Prince George’s County
Riverdale, MD (July 31, 2023) – On Saturday, families in Fairmount Heights celebrated the completion of a kid-designed playspace at Jesse J. Warr, Jr. Recreation Building. The collaboration between The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, Jerami Grant’s Hour Generation Foundation, Markelle Fultz’s Faithful 2 The Grind, LLC, and KABOOM! began in October 2022 with a new, state-of-the-art playground and culminated this week as more than 50 event participants installed a new multi-sport court. The playground currently serves more than 700 children each year and as more young families move into the community, the addition of the multi-sport court to the playspace will provide kids with a high-quality, safe place to play that is close to where they live and learn.
Community members led the creation of the playground, from design to installation, including the kids who shared drawings of their dream playspaces with project organizers at a Design Day last July. The new multi-sport court completes the playspace and will provide hundreds of kids and their families with a renewed place to get active, build social bonds, and gather as a community.
“Through this innovative partnership with KABOOM!, we are able to more quickly accomplish the goal of the replacement or renovation for the playspaces the Department of Parks and Recreation currently operates and maintains in Prince George’s County.” said Bill Tyler, Director of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation. “It’s truly a win-win. Our talented and dedicated staff are able to utilize various resources along with imaginative, pesticide-free options while incorporating the vision of the community children and families, more than ever before,” concludes Tyler.
Addressing childhood obesity and improving the overall health of the communities they serve is a top priority for The Department and playing 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 playspace at Jesse J. Warr, Jr. Recreation Building, designed with the neighborhood’s unique needs and aspirations in mind, brings Prince George’s County one step closer toward ending playspace inequity and ensuring that every kid has the opportunity to experience the joys and benefits of play.
“Playgrounds are an iconic 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 Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!. “With the help of amazing partners like The Department of Parks and Recreation, Jerami Grant’s Hour Generation Foundation, and Markelle Fultz’s Faithful 2 The Grind, LLC we can drive the positive systemic change necessary to ensure every kid in Prince George’s County has an amazing place to play and unlock their greatest potential.”
The full playspace renovation is a part of Jerami Grant’s Hour Generation Foundation and Markelle Fultz’s Faithful 2 The Grind, LLC, commitment to giving back to the community where Jerami and Markelle grew up. Both organizations have provided support for the new playspace through their partnership with KABOOM!, part of a nationwide effort to end playspace inequity. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity, the five-year initiative to accelerate efforts towards achieving their mission across the United States.
“I’m so excited to partner with KABOOM!, M-NCPPC, and Markelle to bring this project to life. When I launched Hour Generation Foundation, I wanted to create opportunities of empowerment that would encourage our youth to explore their talents,” Jerami said. “By renovating this playground, in a community I personally grew up in, we help to level the playing field and create a safe environment for kids to do just that.”
Markelle Fultz’s Faithful 2 The Grind, LLC, knows and understands the importance of engaging with and in the community. They are excited to be partnering with Jerami Grant’s Hour Generation Foundation and the Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County to build a playground for the kids in the community, that will foster social interactions among the children and families who live and play there.
About the Department
The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation delivers an award-winning park system through progressive, innovative leadership and a commitment to the community and the environment in Prince George’s County. For more on the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit www.pgparks.com and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, PhotoShelter, and Instagram. The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation.
About Jerami Grant’s Hour Generation Foundation
The Hour Generation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to empowering youth in underserved communities to explore their talents by providing them information, resources, and extracurricular programs and services to maximize their potential and realize their special gifts to attain success in life. The organization was founded by Jerami Grant, NBA player & USA Men’s Basketball Olympic Gold Medalist.
About Markelle Fultz’s Faithful 2 The Grind, LLC
Markelle Fultz’s Faithful 2 The Grind, LLC was formed in 2017 by Fultz. Faithful 2 The Grind is a motto Markelle came up with to help him get through the adversity he dealt with during his High School years. Through many outreach events, Fultz and his family always share the F2G motto in an effort to encourage youth and adults to stay the course and not give up on their dreams and aspirations. No matter what obstacle may come your way, be it on the job, in school, in sports or day to day life you have to keep working through the adversity. Often times those things that seemed hard or seemed to be going against you will prove to have served a purpose in your success if you stay Faithful 2 The Grind.
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 build or improve 17,000+ playspaces and ensure that nearly 12 million kids have equitable access to the crucial benefits and opportunities that playspaces offer. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity to accelerate its mission in 25 high-priority locations over five years. Learn more at kaboom.org or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
