Kids at Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas Eastgate Campus are celebrating as the school debuted a kid-designed, community-built playground on Thursday. The months-long collaboration between Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas, the CarMax Foundation, and KABOOM! culminated this week as volunteers built the new playspace that will spark joy and foster a sense of belonging for kids each year.
Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson, Nevada State Senator Carrie Buck and Henderson Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Monica Larson joined the celebration and presented proclamations to honor the achievement.
Children today tend to rely on technology to pass the time, often prioritizing digital entertainment over unstructured playtime. That is why Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas, the CarMax Foundation, and KABOOM! are working together on this project, creating a playspace where it’s needed most.
“This project reflects our belief that strong communities are built when students, families, and partners come together with a shared purpose,” said Dr. Ercan Aydogdu, executive director and CEO of Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas. “The new playground gives our students a space to explore, imagine, and connect with one another in meaningful ways. It’s an investment in their well-being and in the neighborhood, we serve, one that will benefit children for years to come. We are incredibly grateful to KABOOM! and the CarMax Foundation for their vision, generosity, and partnership in helping us bring this dream to life for our students.”
Community members led the creation of the playground from design to installation. In November, kids and community members from Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas shared drawings of their dream playspaces with project organizers. These ideas were integrated into the new playground design.
“Playgrounds are an iconic part of childhood where kids collect some of their best memories and experience the countless physical and mental health benefits of play,” said Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!. “KABOOM! is thrilled to work with our partners to bring to life the new playspace at Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas and ensure that generations of kids in Las Vegas can grow up happy and healthy through access to playspaces where they feel they are valued and belong. Especially in the increasingly challenging environment our kids are growing up in today, it is critical for us to protect and create safe playspaces for kids to realize their fullest potential.”
The CarMax Foundation has provided the majority of funding for the new playground through its new commitment of $815,000, bringing the total investment in KABOOM! to more than $16 million since 2013. Together with KABOOM!, this playground marks the CarMax Foundation’s 2nd playground in Henderson.
“CarMax associates are proud to team up with communities where we live and work to build playgrounds that help enrich the lives of children in underserved neighborhoods,” said Jeff Hall, president of the CarMax Foundation. “Our work with KABOOM! demonstrates our unwavering commitment to putting people first. By building playgrounds in communities that need them the most, we strive to ensure that every child has access to the invaluable physical, social, and mental health benefits that a community playground offers.”
