More than 100 volunteers, athletes, and community members came together to complete the vibrant, student-designed playspace unveiled for the new school year.
Washington, D.C. (September 12, 2025) – Students at The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School (TCG DC) now have access to their school’s first-ever playground—a vibrant, student-designed space that will support their physical, social, and emotional development for years to come. Unveiled today through a partnership between the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation (MSEF), national nonprofit KABOOM!, and TCG DC, the new playspace marks a major milestone for the school community and reflects a deep investment in play equity, youth well-being, and neighborhood connection.
“Some of the best parts of childhood are found in play — running, climbing, laughing, and imagining together. For many children in the District, access to play spaces can be limited,” said Jenny Livelli, CEO and President, The Children’s Guild. “This new playground provides more than 250 TCG DC students a place to experience those joyful moments of childhood and encourages them to look forward to coming to school each day. We are grateful to MMEF and KABOOM! for making this possible and for bringing this gift of play to our children for years to come.”
More than 100 volunteers—including Monumental Sports staff, Capitals players Anthony Beauvillier, Ethen Frank and Dylan McIlrath, Wizards players Anthony Gill, AJ Johnson and Dillon Jones, Monumental Sports Network personalities Tarik El-Bashir and Wes Hall, Wizards Dancers, team mascots G-Wiz, Pax and Slapshot, and volunteers from Coca-Cola Consolidated —came together to build the playspace from the ground up in a single day.
This marks the 13th playground MSEF and KABOOM! have built together in the D.C. region since their partnership began in 2011. The playgrounds have benefitted approximately 6,741 children across the D.C. region.
“Sports have always had the power to unite, inspire, and build stronger communities—and this playground is a perfect example of that impact in action,” said Zach Leonsis, President of Media & New Enterprises at Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “Through our long-standing partnership with KABOOM!, we’ve been able to create safe, joyful spaces where kids can play, grow, and dream big. I’m proud that Monumental continues to invest in the neighborhoods we call home—using the power of our teams, athletes, and fans to help build a stronger, more connected region.”
The design of the playground was inspired by student imagination. In March 2025, athletes from the Wizards and Mystics joined students at TCG DC for a “design day,” where kids brainstormed their dream playgrounds. KABOOM! led the session, helping students turn their drawings and ideas into real features of the final design. Parents and teachers also shared feedback to ensure the space met the needs of the broader school community.
“We’re thrilled to bring a new playspace to The Children’s Guild DC and to give students a space that reflects their ideas, creativity, and energy,” said Elizabeth Pace, President and Executive Director of the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. “This project represents the best of what happens when community, sports, and service come together to uplift the next generation.”
The new playground will serve more than 150 students enrolled at TCG DC, providing them with a safe, engaging space to play, build confidence, and develop life skills. The space also features a vibrant mural entitled “Neighborhood Candy” designed by local artist Hiba Alyawer and painted by MSE staff. The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with remarks from representatives from MSEF, KABOOM!, and TCG DC.
“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 continue to work with our partners at MSEF to bring to life the new playspace at TCG DC and ensure that generations of kids can grow up happy and healthy through access to playspaces where they feel they are valued and belong.”
Since launching their partnership in 2011, MSEF and KABOOM! have invested more than $1 million in local playspaces and engaged hundreds of volunteers across the D.C. region. The ongoing collaboration is part of KABOOM!’s national “25 in 5” Initiative to End Playspace Inequity, which aims to accelerate playspace equity in 25 priority locations over five years.
In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity, the five-year plan to accelerate efforts towards achieving their mission to end playspace inequity for good across the United States. KABOOM! envisions a world where safe and amazing places to play exist for every child in America so that kids can grow up happy and healthy. To learn how partners can join KABOOM! in their efforts to end playspace inequity, visit http://kaboom.org/25-in-5.
Special thanks to Coca-Cola Consolidated Inc. for their generous contributions of on-site beverages during the build day, as well as additional build volunteers and essential items donated to TCG DC to support students during the school year. The donations build on Coca-Cola Consolidated’s earlier support for previous MSE and KABOOM! playground builds.
MSE also thanks partners Giant Food, Dunkin’, and Chick-fil-A for supporting volunteers with food and beverages throughout the day.
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About The Children’s Guild DC
The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School (TCGDC), founded by The Children’s Guild, opened its doors in Washington, DC in 2015. We offer a personalized learning environment. The Children’s Guild’s philosophy of Transformation Education develops caring, committed, and contributing young people for a cause bigger than themselves. The Children’s Guild (TCG), founded in 1953, is a leading Mid-Atlantic nonprofit organization focused on helping students and families find success socially, emotionally, educationally, and developmentally through special education, school-based mental health services, treatment foster care, autism services, family mental and behavioral health services.
Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County, Monarch Academy Glen Burnie, Monarch Global Academy Laurel, Monarch Academy Annapolis, Monarch Preschool College Park, The Children’s Guild- Transformation Academy, The Outpatient Mental Health Clinic (OMHC), and Treatment Foster Care. For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.
About Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation
MSE Foundation is committed to making the region a better place for all by supporting game-changing solutions for our community. We fundraise, provide grants to nonprofits and rally Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s teams and fans to support and amplify the impact of community change agents. Together, we’re raising the game in the DMV. Learn more at MonumentalFoundation.org and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
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 build or improve 17,000+ playspaces and ensure that nearly 12 million kids have equitable access to the crucial 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 X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
