Today’s new stories:
1. Budget cuts in Massachusetts impact funding for local playspace projects
2. Cleveland parks and rec master-planning process reveals need for prioritizing maintenance
3. Concerns raised over environmental and public health effects of poured-in-place surfacing
4. New natural playground comes to Cambridge, NZ
5. Bangladesh Minister for Youth and Sports calls for more open playgrounds

Citations:

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/01/westfield-library-childrens-museum-playground-impacted-by-budget-cuts.html

https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2024/01/half-of-clevelanders-avoid-city-parks-and-rec-centers-for-one-reason-survey-shows.html

https://www.amherstindy.org/2024/01/12/letter-use-non-toxic-materials-for-playground-surfaces-at-new-elementary-school/

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/recycled-trees-to-become-new-play-feature-at-leamington-domain-in-cambridge/4S5LN37CGJCCTBR2TJ5FPBXFPM/

https://bangladeshpost.net/posts/not-stadiums-playgrounds-important-to-me-papon-129321

About Swing Forward
Swing Forward is a podcast series from KABOOM! on the future of playgrounds and playspace equity, co-hosted by James Siegal and Jen DeMelo.

About KABOOM!
KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending playspace inequity – the reality that quality places to play are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with kids and communities to create or transform 17,000+ playspaces and ensure that nearly 12 million kids have equitable access to the critical benefits and opportunities that playspaces offer. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity to accelerate its mission in 25 high-priority locations over five years. Learn more at kaboom.org or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.