Kaboom! Playground Reveal event at DeLeon Park brings community members together

   Several dozen people gathered at DeLeon Park for the Kaboom! Playground reveal event Thursday evening at 6 PM. 

   Mayor Don McLaughlin, City Councilmen Everado “Lalo” Zamora and Hector Luevano attended the ceremonies, Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez , Constable Emmanuel Zamora and County Commissioner Ronnie Garza also attended  along with other community members and civic leaders and members of the media,

   Jan DeMelo the Director of Special Projects for Kaboom! began the unveiling ceremony. DeMelo was accompanied by Kaboom! representative Lysa Ratliff.

  DeMelo explained to the crowd that the process of selecting a playground design began several weeks ago with a collaborative effort consisting of the Uvalde Memorial Library, the City of Uvalde and a planning committee consisting of volunteers from the community. She explained that the committee which included children and adults utilized crayons, blue blocks and other building materials. The planning was then transferred into artwork she stated.

  Out of the planning process four playground designs were generated. Community members were then given the opportunity to vote online for one playground design to be constructed in October 2022. 

 Once the two artist renditions and map of the design was unveiled, people were allowed to take pictures and examine the displays up close. 

 Construction will begin on the playground October 13 and continue through October 15th from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM each day.  On October 13th and 14th, ground preparation work will be done, The October 15th is the day when the playground will be assembled. According to Mayra Vasquez, October 15th is the date the most volunteers from the community are needed to build the playground.

  DeMelo said they are in the process of collecting water, food and drinks and T-Shirts for the volunteers participating in the playground building event. 

 Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, Those interested in volunteering can sign up online using the QR Code printed on the flier. (Flier is posted with this article)