DEL NORTE — For more than two years, the Town of Del Norte, Rio Grande County and D Mountain Parks and Recreation have been working to revitalize the Del Norte Athletic Fields located by the new school south of town.

Through those efforts it has been announced that these entities have been approved for grant funding to install a new playground through the KABOOM! Program.

The town, in partnership with D Mountain Parks and Recreation, Rio Grande County and the Colorado Health Foundation are seeking volunteers to help install the new playground on Aug. 24-27. People in helping must RSVP and register by emailing Katy Davis at [email protected].

KABOOM! is a community-centered program that provides grant funding for rural and underserved communities that need play spaces for area youth to get out and exercise, socialize and learn all while they have a great time. Not to mention the opportunities the program offers for communities to come together to build the play spaces and something the entire community can be proud of.

The 40-plus acres at the Del Norte Athletic Fields is a prime location for another town park and walking trail. Though the area has been in disrepair for the past several years, the need for outdoor recreational space began a movement to get the area cleaned up.

According to KABOOM!, “Our model of community engagement fosters cohesion, pride, and leadership capacity. It leads to the community's increased usage of a playspace and their vested interest in the long-term maintenance of the playspace. Most importantly, it creates an amazing place for kids and families to play.”

The build day will happen come rain or shine and anyone who does wish to participate should plan for inclement weather and wear appropriate clothing for construction. All the requirements to be a volunteer can be found on the KABOOM! website at kaboom.org.