Volunteers to Build Kid-Designed Playground at Clyde-Brummel Park on October 29

The City of Evanston, national nonprofit KABOOM!, and The Purpose & Calling Foundation will build a new playground at Clyde-Brummel Park, 600 Brummel Street, on Thursday, October 29. Volunteers will build the entire playground in one day.

The design for the playground came from Evanston community members. In August, adults and children in the neighborhood drew their dream play spaces for project organizers, and those ideas were built into the final plan.

The new playground is funded by the City of Evanston and the Purpose & Calling Foundation, founded by Mallory Swanson, an Olympic gold medalist who plays for the U.S. Women's National Team and the Chicago Stars, and Dansby Swanson, a two-time Gold Glove shortstop.

“Clyde-Brummel Park is a gathering place for this neighborhood, and the kids who will play here every day helped design it,” said Parks and Recreation Director Audrey Thompson. “We're grateful to KABOOM!, The Purpose & Calling Foundation and every volunteer who is giving their time to build it.”

The project is part of KABOOM!'s 30th anniversary year and its national effort to end play space inequity, the reality that too many kids don't have a safe, quality place to play close to home. Since 1996, KABOOM! has worked with communities to build or improve more than 17,000 play spaces.

Build week schedule

• Tuesday & Wednesday, Oct. 27 & 28: Site prep with volunteers
• Thursday, Oct. 29, 8:30 a.m.: Build Day begins
• Thursday, Oct. 29, 2:30 p.m.: Build week celebration

Volunteer

Volunteer spots are still open for all three days. No construction experience is needed. Instructions, tools, materials, and safety equipment will be provided, along with breakfast and lunch. Volunteers can sign up for a full day or choose a shift. 

For more information about the project, visit kaboom.org. For questions, call 311 or 847-448-4311.

Media availability

What: Volunteers build a new kid-designed playground in one day
When: Thurs., Oct. 29. Build begins at 8:30 a.m., celebration at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Clyde-Brummel Park, 600 Brummel St., Evanston
Visuals: Photos and B-roll of volunteers building throughout the day

About The Purpose & Calling Foundation

Mallory and Dansby Swanson believe every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and believed in. Mallory, an Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. Women's National Team, and Dansby, a two-time Gold Glove Major League Baseball shortstop, founded The Purpose & Calling Foundation to use sports as a gateway to something bigger. Through access to youth sports, mental health awareness, and basic necessities, the foundation works to remove barriers that hold kids back.

About KABOOM!

KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending play space inequity. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with kids, communities, and public and private partners to transform more than 17,000 play spaces, reaching more than 12 million kids nationwide. Learn more at kaboom.org and read the 2026 State of Our Kids report.