Volunteers build new playground at Imagine Cleveland Academy in one day

CLEVELAND - Children in Cleveland have a new place to play this summer thanks to the generosity and hard work of others.

More than 200 volunteers gathered Saturday to build a new playground from start to finish at Imagine Cleveland Academy located at 3443 E. 93rd St. in Cleveland. The design of the new play area was based off of children's drawings created during Design Day in April.

The new playground is expected to serve more than 6,000 children and their families.

Volunteers from Foresters Insurance, Imagine Cleveland Academy, KaBOOM! non-profit organization and local residents took part in the project.

The playground also included a Foresters Family Fun Zone featuring arts, crafts, games and family activities.

"This is not just for the school, it's for the surrounding community," said Foresters Insurance Member Coordinator Joy Trachsel. "Before we came today, they were just playing on a really miniature playground behind us, so it is going to be just a safe place for kids to come and play and have fun that they haven't had for many years."

"It's changing the face of the community," said Imagine Cleveland Academy Principal Pharon West. "It's just everyone coming together for one cause, just showing that we are really here for the kids."