East Valley kids slide onto new playground

Dozens of kids at the Las Casas Apartments in Coachella lined up in anticipation at Tuesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony.

For the first time, they rushed the new 2,800 square-foot playground, which their imaginations helped create.

Quickly the kids got to climbing, swinging and sliding.

“When they cut the ribbon, everybody just ran. They were in a hurry,” said 10-year-old Anahi Garcia.

“It’s sheer chaos! All of the kids are finally able to use the playground that was built for them on Saturday,” said Marina Renneke, of the Humana Foundation.

The project was made possible with the help of more than 200 volunteers, the Family YMCA of the Desert, the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, Kaboom! and funding the project, the Humana Foundation.

“We can definitely thank this pedometer for the playground we see here. Hundreds wore this. For every step taken, the Foundation pledged money to the Coachella Valley community,” said Renneke.

The 2012 Humana Challenge raised more than $500,000 to help benefit the Valley.

After testing out the new masterpiece, we asked experts like Garcia, what they thought.

“It’s so cool! It’s so big!,” she said.

“It has 2 slides, a little tunnel and monkey bars!” said Jesus Gonzalez, who lives at Las Casas.

There a little something for the entire family to get active and stay healthy, including stretching and exercise stations for adults and seniors.

“The family can really come and play together. That’s what wellness is all about,” said Renneke.

Some say they just can’t stay away.

“Maybe I should just do my homework down there swinging,” said Garcia.