Joe R Lee Branch in Eatonville Celebrates New Kid-Designed Playground Thanks to Partnership with DaVita and KABOOM!
A Playground with Purpose
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the energy at our Joe R Lee Branch in Eatonville was electric as volunteers, community leaders, and youth came together to unveil something truly special—a brand-new, kid-designed and community-built playground, made possible by the passionate efforts of our partners at DaVita and KABOOM!.
From the earliest drawings in December to the final bolt turned, this project has been a labor of love, led by the children who inspired its design and powered by the hundreds of volunteers who brought it to life.
Over 200 volunteers —150 of them DaVita teammates from around the country — arrived early in the morning, fueled by a shared belief that every child deserves a joyful place to play. By 2:00 p.m., their collective efforts had transformed an empty lot into a vibrant playspace built with purpose, pride, and partnership.
“You came together from everywhere. That is the the most marvelous piece of this project,” shared Eatonville Mayor Angie Gardner. “On behalf of this town, these children, and their familie, I want to thank you for finding that this was worthy enough for you to give your time that you didn’t have to give to come out and support Boys & Girls Clubs [of Central Florida] to get this done in such an amazing period of time.”
A Playground with Purpose
This playground is more than just swings and slides. It’s a symbol of what’s possible when communities unite to prioritize play equity—the belief that every child, regardless of background, should have access to safe, engaging places to play.
Research shows that play is essential to a child’s social, emotional, and academic development. Yet far too many children lack access to these basic opportunities. This partnership between BGCCF, DaVita, and KABOOM! is part of a movement to close that gap.
The Joe R. Lee Branch plays a critical role in the lives of nearly 400 children annually. Now, thanks to this initiative, those children have a state-of-the-art playspace where they can dream bigger, grow stronger, and thrive together.
Building Toward a Brighter Future
This project is part of KABOOM!’s 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity, and it also marked the launch of DaVita’s new ‘Recess’ program—both aiming to create systemic change by investing in local communities and kids’ well-being. The build also coincided with DaVita’s 25th anniversary, making the event all the more meaningful.
As kids ran onto the new playground for the first time, faces lit up with joy and amazement. I was clear: this space is theirs. Designed by them, built for them, and rooted in a community that believes in their future.
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, we believe that Great Futures Start Here. And now, for the kids we serve in Eatonville, they start on a brand-new playground that stands as a testament to collaboration, compassion, and the power of play.
