Play 4 ALL, a division of Cunningham Recreation, manages a national campaign called "Healing Communities Through Play™" with the hope of rebuilding community trust and relations between local residents and law enforcement. The program provides opportunities for police, youth, community residents and leaders to interact, communicate, get to know one another and focus on their commonalities rather than their differences.
During a "Healing Communities" playground build, all community sectors work together toward a common goal—complete the build of a play structure and present the neighborhood with a new play space for area residents. Play is a universal language that brings children as well as adults together. Play allows people of all ages to connect on a basic level.
The most recent "Healing Communities Through Play™" project took place August 22, where a team of Baltimore based community groups including Parks and People Foundation, Bon Secours, Celebration Church and many others along with Cunningham Recreation banded together to transform an open space located in the Franklin Square Community from a vacant lot into a beautiful play space. It was refreshing to see so many community groups, businesses and residents come together for a common goal. Kirby Lane Park is now a community gathering place, a place for healing, a place for play.
To read more about "Healing Communities Through Play™" click here.
