The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to make a difference in the lives of their community. On Friday, they spent the day along with several volunteers working to ensure a Near East Side neighborhood has a gathering place for generations to come. They all came together to help build the 13th playground the team has funded throughout Central Ohio.
Volunteers from the Blue Jackets and the YMCA have teamed up to build this new playground, located at the Eldon and Elsie Ward Family YMCA on Woodland Avenue. Once completed, the playground will be the centerpiece of the outdoor space, which will also include other things like gazebos, picnic tables, community gardens, and even a pickleball court.
The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation awarded the Ward YMCA a $150,000 grant to help fund the construction of the playground. Players Sean Kuraly and Daniil Tarasov stopped by in the afternoon to help with the construction and meet some of the neighborhood children.
Andee Cochran, director of the Blue Jackets Foundation, says her work is all about the children and providing them with a safe place to gather and play.
“Our foundation offers nonprofits the opportunity to submit grants every year. We look for grants that align with the foundation’s mission of keeping children healthy, active and safe,” Cochran said. “When you think about children and the playgrounds here at the Ward YMCA in this community, there was a lack of safe play opportunities. When we learned about this while talking with Tony Collins at the YMCA, we knew this was a good fit.”
“We’ve built 12 playgrounds in the Columbus area before for situations like this. And to have our 13th Blue Jackets playground completed today is incredible. But more than that, you’re going to see all of our management staff and our players here. And while we know the kids are going to get so much out of this playground, from the time they spend outside of the office and our staff and players socializing in the community, I feel like they’re actually getting just as much out of it.”
The foundation grant was just the beginning
On hand for Friday’s festivities was Tony Collins, CEO and president of the YMCA of Central Ohio, who has been actively involved with the Blue Jackets since the first team-funded playground was built at Krumm Park in 2012.
Collins’ roles have included serving as Gahanna’s parks and recreation director and chairman of the board of the Ohio Parks and Recs Association. He helped build the Krumm Park playground in 2012 with the Blue Jackets and the Mid-States Recreation Team.
Since 2015, he has worked with the team to build eight more playgrounds. He calls this playground in Ward “a full-circle moment.” He gives the Blue Jackets full credit for their ongoing mission in the community.
“We are blessed in Columbus to have the Blue Jackets,” Collins said. “Their investment in the community is incredible. They have so many of these Blue Jackets playgrounds to encourage kids and families to be together, to be outside, and to create space for community organizations like Y Rec and Parks to better serve our community.”
The Blue Jackets Foundation’s $150,000 donation was just the beginning for this special project at Ward. It was seed money that would grow into something much bigger.
“That initial investment started a larger project,” Collins said. “We had the idea for the playground and the Blue Jackets believe in serving that part of the community specifically. But that was the creation of the Columbus Foundation to contribute to the project. So they donated to the project. Then when we went to Congresswoman (Joyce) Beatty and showed her the investment from the Blue Jackets and the Foundation, she advocated for us in the capital budget and we got even more money.”
Related: Blue Jackets help launch sporting goods initiative
“We’ll be able to build a shelter here for day campers and families. We’ll create a new, safer entrance to the day camp. If we can get a few more resources together, we can even hopefully build a pickleball court on site. That’s what got the ball rolling. Sometimes all it takes is that first believer, that first donor. The Blue Jackets played that role in this case. Not only is the program legendary in its investment in our community, it was the starting point for this particular project.”
Final touches
The day began with an empty space. It ended with a beautiful playground, thanks to the hard work of many people. The response from the volunteers was so overwhelming that it was even a challenge to find work for everyone.
The playground still needs some finishing touches. As soon as everything is solid in the park, a special floor covering will be laid. There will then be an official opening with a celebratory opening ceremony.
Children and families in the neighborhood will soon have a place to meet and play in a safe environment. New friendships will be made. Memories will last a lifetime.
In about six hours, more than just a playground was built in Ward. Thanks to the Blue Jackets, an entire community was given hope.
