Salem, NJ, Oct. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday, kids in Salem celebrated the opening of a new kid-designed, community-built playground at Hubbell Park. Volunteers from the community, the CarMax Foundation, and KABOOM! came together to build the new playspace that will serve 600+ students and hundreds more children across the community for years to come.
The new playspace with the City of Salem and the CarMax Foundation is part of a nationwide effort led by KABOOM! to end playspace inequity. This project began months ago when community members played an active role in shaping the new playground, from early design sessions to the build day itself, ensuring the space reflects what matters most to the children who will use it.
"This new playspace at Hubbell Avenue Park represents more than a new place for children to play—it represents inclusion, community, and progress for Salem,” said Councilmember Jamal Long, City of Salem Neighborhood Initiatives/Parks and Recreation Committee. “As the first ADA-accessible playspace in our city, it will give children of all abilities an opportunity to play, connect, and enjoy their neighborhood together. What makes this project even more special is that it is being built alongside the people of our community. When residents help build something for their own neighborhood, it creates a sense of pride, ownership, and responsibility that lasts long after build day. We are grateful to KABOOM! and CarMax for investing in Salem and helping our community create a space that truly belongs to everyone."
“Playgrounds are an iconic part of childhood, where kids build confidence, connection, and memories that last a lifetime,” said Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!. “As KABOOM! celebrates 30 years of protecting childhood through play, we’re proud to partner with the City of Salem and the CarMax Foundation to bring this new playspace to life. This project reflects the power of communities and partners working together to create joyful, welcoming spaces where kids feel valued and belong. Especially in today’s challenging environment for children, it’s more important than ever that we come together to ensure every kid has access to safe, inspiring places to play and grow.”
As KABOOM! celebrates its 30th year, the organization is expanding their capacity to build and transform playspaces where need is greatest. KABOOM! is prioritizing public-private partnerships, data-driven research, policy, and advocacy to advance systems-level change across municipalities and school districts, ensuring children’s physical and mental health is centered in how communities plan for the future—so every kid can grow up happy, healthy, and thriving.
The CarMax Foundation provided the majority of the funding for the new playground through its partnership with KABOOM!, and with support from CarMax associates who volunteered their time and talents to help build the playground. Together with KABOOM!, the CarMax Foundation has supported the building of two playgrounds across New Jersey with the volunteer support of 130 employees per build.
“CarMax associates are proud to team up with communities where we live and work to build playgrounds
that help enrich the lives of children,” said Sarah Brown, president of the CarMax Foundation. “Our work with KABOOM! reflects our ongoing commitment to putting people first and supporting the wellbeing of our communities.”
About the City of Salem
The City of Salem, New Jersey, founded in 1675 by Quaker John Fenwick, is one of the state’s earliest colonial settlements and carries more than 350 years of history, resilience, and community pride. Incorporated as one of New Jersey’s first 104 townships in 1798 and officially designated a city in 1858, Salem has long served as a regional hub for culture, commerce, and civic life.
Today, Salem City is a diverse and vibrant community of approximately 5,386 residents (2025). Rooted in its rich heritage while focused on the future, Salem is actively advancing revitalization, economic development, public safety investments, and community-centered growth. With historic neighborhoods, natural waterfront assets, and a strong tradition of civic engagement, Salem continues to evolve—building opportunity, strengthening partnerships, and shaping a more prosperous city for generations to come.
About the CarMax Foundation
The CarMax Foundation promotes the causes associates care about to impact the communities where they live and work. Together with CarMax, Inc., the Foundation has donated more than $120 million since 2003. Funding programs are made available through a portion of CarMax, Inc.’s pre-tax profits. CarMax, the nation’s largest retailer of used autos, has earned customers’ trust for more than 30 years by leading with integrity, honesty and transparency. CarMax continues to redefine car buying and selling for millions of customers, delivering the easy and confident experience they love. CarMax has more than 255 store locations, approximately 28,000 associates, and is proud to have been recognized for 22 consecutive years as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®. During the fiscal year ending February 28, 2026, CarMax sold approximately 780,000 used vehicles and 540,000 wholesale vehicles at its auctions. In addition, CarMax Auto Finance originated $8 billion in auto loans during fiscal 2026, adding to its $16 billion portfolio. CarMax is committed to helping its communities thrive and reducing the environmental footprint of its operations. Learn more in the 2026 Responsibility Report. For more information, visit Carmax.com.
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, communities, and public and private partners to transform 17,000+ playspaces, expanding access to the physical, mental, and social benefits of play for more than 12 million kids nationwide. As KABOOM! celebrates its 30th year, the organization is focused on community-driven solutions through public-private partnerships, research, policy, and advocacy to elevate the current state of our kids and center youth voice in shaping equitable access to playspaces and nature. This July, KABOOM! released the State of Our Kids Report: Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis, an urgent call to action for cross-sector leaders to invest in solutions for the youth mental health crisis. Learn more at kaboom.org or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Public Relations KABOOM! 202-464-6169 media@kaboom.org
