(FLINT, Mich) – Two new playgrounds will officially open this week, one at Hasselbring Park and the other at Broome Park in the City of Flint. 

Hasselbring Park

This morning, over 80 volunteers will put the final touches on Hasselbring Park. The community is invited to the Ribbon Cutting Celebration at 4:00 this afternoon at the Park.  Construction began on the park last Friday and children will be able to play after the unveiling.

Broome Park

Friday, August 18^th, volunteers will put the final touches on Broome Park from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  The community is invited to the Ribbon Cutting Celebration at 4:00, Friday, August 18^th.  Construction began on the park Monday, August 14^th and children will be able to play after the unveiling.

According to National Recreation and Park Association standards and Michigan Department of Natural Resources planning guidelines, the City of Flint needs another 36 playgrounds to meet the needs of its nearly 100,000 residents. Broome Park is one the largest active play parks in Flint and serves much of the area between I-69 and I-475 on the southwest side of Flint.  Broome hosts multiple baseball and softball leagues as well as Flint Olympian and CANUSA soccer leagues.  The playground equipment currently in Broome Park was installed in 1968 and is structurally deficient. Hasselbring is located on Flint’s far northwest side in the Brownell-Holmes neighborhood. Right now, there is no playground within a quarter of a mile for the 716 children living in the area to easily access.

The goal of these playground builds is to enhance the communities and improve the quality of life of children and families in Flint. The playground builds coincide with the Flint Homecoming event held by the Flint and Genesee Chamber of Commerce. Flint Homecoming will welcome back Flint and Genesee County residents and provide opportunities to network and re-engage with their native community.

Playground partners and contributors include: United Way of Genesee County, Make An Impact Foundation, WEYI NBC25, WSMH FOX66, CW46, Keep Genesee County Beautiful, Flint Child Health and Development Fund of the Foundation for Flint, The Links and the City of Flint. Miracle Midwest Recreation Company designed the playgrounds.

Those interested in being involved in the project or becoming a donor or sponsor should visit www.unitedwaygenesee.org/flintkidsplay or email [email protected] or call 810.232.8121 and press 0.

Courtesy: United Way of Genesee County