Lake Lure residents and tourists have a new playground at Morse Park, thanks to the dedicated efforts and support of community members, KABOOM!, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC).
The new playspace is part of a nationwide effort led by KABOOM!, a nonprofit committed to ending playspace inequity and ensuring children from all communities get the chance to play on a playground. The organization is also known for building entire playgrounds with community volunteers in a single day.
Lake Lure was one of many areas in western North Carolina to endure major devastation from Hurricane Helene. More than one million cubic yards of debris washed into the lake, piling as high as 50 feet in some areas. The disaster damaged many homes and compromised sewer and water systems.
The original playground at Morse Park was among many structures washed away, leaving Lake Lure children and families without a safe space to gather and play for over a year.
On Oct. 15, local volunteers, KABOOM! organizers, and Blue Cross NC employees gathered to build the brand-new playground for the town. The design was led by community members and influenced by drawings from Lake Lure kids detailing their ideal playspace.
The playground project is part of Blue Cross NC’s investment in youth mental health and infrastructure resilience in communities impacted by disaster. Since last year, Blue Cross NC and its Foundation have partnered with more than 70 organizations across western North Carolina to support long-term recovery efforts, according to a press release.
“This milestone build is more than a number — it represents a promise to North Carolina’s children that their joy and healing matter deeply to all of us at Blue Cross NC,” said Kelly Calabria, chief communications, marketing and corporate social responsibility officer in the press release. “In times of recovery, spaces like this playground become more than places to play — they become places of healing, connection, and hope.”
This is Blue Cross NC’s 20th playground project with KABOOM!, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to build healthier communities across North Carolina, the press release says.
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Blue Cross NC’s commitment to healthier communities goes beyond building playgrounds.
Leaders from Blue Cross NC and its Foundation visited all 100 counties in North Carolina recently as part of their Extra Miles Tour, hearing directly from local leaders on the unique challenges and opportunities they face in working to improve the health and well-being of their communities, according to Blue Cross NC.
On the tour, Blue Cross NC leaders witnessed real solutions being implemented across the state, including economic development initiatives, collaborative partnerships between health care providers and community colleges, and more.
You can read the full Extra Miles report here.
Editor’s note: The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation supports the work of EdNC.
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