Friends in the news

By Jim Harger – The Grand Rapids Press

January 25, 2010, 3:15PM

GRAND RAPIDS — Kensington Park in the Black Hills Neighborhood has
a soccer-baseball field and a few picnic tables — but no playground
equipment.

That might change soon thanks to KaBOOM, a national organization
that helps build parks. Jay Steffen, parks and recreation director,
asked the City Commission for permission to raise $7,500 toward a
KaBOOM project with the Black Hills Citizens for a Better Community.

If approved, KaBOOM will pair the city and neighborhood group with a
corporate sponsor, which probably will bring in more dollars and
volunteers for a “build” this May, Steffen said.