| WHEN: | Thursday, August 1 – Saturday, August 3 Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Playground prep day Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Playground prep day (if needed) Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Playground build day Saturday 2:30 p.m. Ribbon-cutting ceremony (times approximate) |
| WHERE: | Hoberman Park Prospect Street Lock Haven, PA 17745 |
| WHAT: | Meet and speak with representatives from the City of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania Municipal League, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and KABOOM! to learn more about how they came together with kids to envision and build the new community and kid-designed playground at Hoberman Park. Media may collect photos and b-roll of volunteers constructing the playground. |
| WHO: | Mayor Joel Long, City of Lock Haven John Brenner, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Municipal League Neighborhood residents Speakers will offer remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and will also be available for questions. |
| ADDITIONAL INFO: | Volunteers from The City of Lock Haven and The League, DCNR, and KABOOM! together with sponsors, First Quality, Highmark, and Sons and Daughters of Italy are building a kid-designed playground that will spark joy and foster a sense of belonging for kids in Lock Haven. This is part of a nationwide effort led by KABOOM! to end playspace inequity – the reality that far too many children do not get the chance to play on a playground, something that should be part of every child’s life. Their work is to ensure every kid can experience the numerous physical, social, and mental health benefits of play regardless of background or where they live. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity, the five-year initiative to accelerate efforts towards achieving their mission to end playspace inequity for good across the United States. This project represents progress in ensuring every kid has a place to play, providing a state-of-the-art playground for children to enjoy each year. To RSVP as a media attendee, contact: The League: Holli Hugendubler | 717-236-9469, x*233 | hhugendubler@pml.org City of Lock Haven: Abbey Roberts | 570-893-5903 | aroberts@lockhavenpa.gov |
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About City of Lock Haven
The City of Lock Haven is a 3rd Class City in Central Pennsylvania. The city is home to about 8,500 residents and boasts views of the West Branch Susquehanna River. The small town is complimented by Commonwealth University – Lock Haven Campus, many locally owned businesses and restaurants, and various community events and activities for all ages. | www.lockhavenpa.gov
About Pennsylvania Municipal League
The Pennsylvania Municipal League strengthens and empowers effective local government through advocacy, education, and support for our members. The League is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1900 as an advocate for Pennsylvania’s 3rd class cities. Today, The League represents Pennsylvania cities, boroughs, townships, and home rule communities that all share their municipal policy interests. The Board of Directors oversees the administration of a wide array of municipal services including legislative advocacy, publications, education/training, consulting-based programs, and group insurance trusts. For more information, please visit PML.org. Join the conversation on Twitter, #StrengthThroughEngagement, facebook.com/PaMunicipalLeague and LinkedIn.
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.