Volunteers to build new playground Saturday at Merrill Park

Common Council President Michael J. Murphy and Alderman Robert J. Bauman will participate in a series of events Saturday, September 12 that will culminate in the construction of a new playground at Merrill Park, 461 N. 35th St. (N. 35th and W. Michigan).

More than 200 volunteers, including many from partners Marquette University High School and the Merrill Park Neighborhood Association, will help construct the new playground on Saturday.

A kick-off ceremony will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday featuring President Murphy and others, and construction will begin later in the morning and conclude by mid-afternoon. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for approximately 2:30 p.m.

President Murphy, a champion of upgrading play spaces for Milwaukee children (and the founder of the MKE Plays play space transformation initiative), said the project will both enhance the play experience for children and promote neighborhood collaboration. “Carefree and fun play is central to a child’s ability to grow into a productive adult. It can transform children from a life that is sedentary, bored and solitary to one that is physically, mentally and socially active,” he said.

Alderman Bauman said he is pleased that the project will help transform the playground into an “active and welcoming neighborhood gathering place for families.”

“Merrill Park is a valuable public space that can be a peaceful refuge for children and families, and I am pleased to help be a part of improving the playground and making it a spot for enjoyable, healthy and positive activities for many years to come,” Alderman Bauman said.

The Merrill Park project is part of Let’s Play (@LetsPlay), a partnership led by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to get kids and families active nationwide. Via Let’s Play grants and projects, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM! has built or improved more than 2,000 playgrounds since 2011, benefitting an estimated 5 million children during the lifetimes of the playgrounds.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group supports KaBOOM! in promoting and protecting a child’s right to active play at home, at school and in the community and is also a member of the leadership circle in the KaBOOM! National Partner Program.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.