New York Islanders - Playground
Glen Cove, N.Y. (October, 7, 2025) - Today, kids at the YMCA at Glen Cove are celebrating the debut of a kid-designed, community-built playground. The months-long collaboration between YMCA of Long Island, the New York Islanders/Islanders Children’s Foundation, and KABOOM! culminated this week as hundreds of volunteers built the new playspace that will spark joy and foster a sense of belonging for hundreds of kids each year.
Children today are growing up in more challenging environments with fewer opportunities for unstructured play and limited access to nature, combating increased screen time and other societal pressures that may negatively affect their physical and mental health. In response, it is critical for YMCA of Long Island, Islanders Children’s Foundation, and KABOOM! to protect and create spaces where every kid can grow, play, and thrive.
“This new playspace gives children and families in the Glen Cove community a safe and inspiring place to play, grow, and connect. It’s more than a playground—it’s a space that brings people together and strengthens our community,” said Anne Brigis, President and CEO of the YMCA of Long Island. “We’re especially grateful for our partnership with the New York Islanders, whose strong support has made projects like this possible in Glen Cove and will help us bring a community center to Elmont in the near future.”
Playing is the essence of childhood and is a critical developmental need that provides countless physical, social, and mental health benefits. However, far too many children, especially in communities of color, do not have a place to play near where they live or learn. The new playground at the YMCA at Glen Cove, designed with the neighborhood’s unique needs and aspirations in mind, brings Glen Cove one step closer toward ending playspace inequity and ensuring that no matter where a child lives or their background, they have limitless opportunities and joyful childhoods that are centered around play.
“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 work with our partners to bring to life the new playspace at the YMCA at Glen Cove and ensure that generations of kids in Glen Cove can grow up happy and healthy through access to playspaces where they feel they are valued and belong. Especially in the increasingly challenging environment our kids are growing up in today, it is critical for us to protect and create safe playspaces for kids to realize their fullest potential.”
The Islanders Children’s Foundation has provided support for the new playground through its partnership with KABOOM!, furthering its commitment to ending playspace inequity.
"Play is a fundamental part of childhood, and we are proud to partner with KABOOM! and the YMCA of Long Island to provide a safe and vibrant new playspace for the children of Glen Cove," said Ann Rina, Executive Director of the Islanders Children's Foundation. "This playground will not only provide a place for kids to have fun and be active, but it will also serve as a hub for the community, bringing people together and creating lasting memories. We are committed to ensuring that every child on Long Island has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive, and this new playspace is a testament to that commitment."
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About YMCA of Long Island
The YMCA of Long Island is a 501c3 nonprofit community-based service organization dedicated
to improving the lives of children, teens, adults, and families through programs and services that
nurture youth development, foster healthy living, and inspire social responsibility. Long Islanders
learn to live their healthiest and fullest lives inside the YMCA’s located in Bay Shore, East
Hampton, Glen Cove, Holtsville, Huntington, and Patchogue. For information and locations, visit
About New York Islanders
The New York Islanders Hockey Club is the proud winner of four Stanley Cup Championships and record nineteen consecutive playoff series victories. The Islanders play in the National Hockey League’s Eastern Conference, and have eight players, one coach and one general manager inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.s
The Islanders Children’s Foundation has helped countless youngsters in need around the world since its inception. Donations are raised through the efforts of our players, management, and employees, along with our fans and partners.
UBS Arena is the team’s state of the art home and features world class premium hospitality, great sightlines from every seat, and a loud and intimate bowl. Isles Lab, the official team store of the New York Islanders, offers fans traditional NHL merchandise, unique collaborations and exclusive products. Isles Lab is located inside UBS Arena or can be shopped online at IslesLab.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 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. KABOOM! continues to make progress on its 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity through new partnerships with a goal of accelerating efforts in 25 municipal systems toward achieving their mission at scale across the United States. Learn more at kaboom.org or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.