Special to the Patriot Bridge
A year ago, the leadership team at the Kennedy Center faced some tough news—the playground equipment for the preschoolers would need a total replacement.
The patchwork effort of fixing parts of the equipment here and there would no longer work. Nevertheless, the price tag was far beyond the whole annual budget for facilities repairs, and yet this project had to be a top priority for the organization.
“Our playground is essential for the healthy development of young children. People may not realize that ‘play’ means learning for children who are 3 to 5. They build gross motor skills through climbing, and build social skills in games like pretending to be superheroes,” explains Thara Fuller, Executive Director.
Now, a year later, some real superheroes have stepped up to ensure that the children have a safe place to learn through outdoor play. The Kennedy Center is grateful to the Charlestown Community Impact Fund and the City of Boston Universal PreK program for contributing the funds to make a down-payment possible for the playground equipment. And then, just in the nick of time, RISE Construction Management offered to manage the entire project, including covering the remaining balance of costs.
“RISE Construction Management is excited to begin work on a playground for the John F. Kennedy Center in Charlestown. I went to pre-k here, and my family lives a stone’s throw away from where this playground is located. Members of my team and I grew up in Charlestown, and we know how vital the Kennedy Center organization is to the families in the neighborhood. We are honored to be working with the Kennedy Center, and hope we can produce a play space that kids from all over the neighborhood can enjoy.” Eric Gould, Executive VP, RISE Construction Management.
The new playground will be ready for the fall opening of school-year programs, just ahead of preparations for the Phase 1 demolition and renovation of housing around the Kennedy Center.
“The school and playground are right at the gateway of the Bunker Hill Redevelopment, so it is especially important to see a beautiful, welcoming space full of joy right here,” said Fuller. “We are incredibly grateful for the support to make this possible. The team at RISE are definitely heroes to us.”