In 1988, the Foundation, in patnership with various corporations, the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County, successfully launched its Playgrounds Program. The process of including the community in the construction of the playground makes this a unique project. Community assistance was requested by asking neightbors to become volunteers and children to provide drawings of their ideal playground. Kiwanis members coordinate the volunteer work force and seek building materials from local businesses.
- Douglas Park (Parque de la Amistad): The first playground was built in 1988 to serve the tri-ethnic communities residing in Little Havana and Coconut Grove. It was built in partnership with Frito Lay and other contributors. The construction of this playground was completed in 5 days and was inagurated with hundreds of children, parents and all involved volunteers.
- A.D. Barnes: The success of the first playground led Metro Dade County to ask the Kiwanis of Little Havana to build a second playground. In October 1990, with a matching grant from Ronald McDonald’s Children’s Charities, this playground was designed and built to serve handicapped children and it was the only one of its kind in South Florida.
- Curtis Park: In the spring of 1992, the Foundation was the beneficiary of proceeds from a Gloria Estefan & New World Symphony concert; and together with a grant from the Knight Foundation, a playground in Allapatah was renovated and extended. The new playground was enlarged to comprise one full acre of land.
- Jose Marti Park: The fourth playground was built in 1995 at Jose Marti Park in downtown Miami for the neighborhood children of Little Havana and Centro Mater Day Care Center. This project included the architecture students from Florida International University who worked on the planning and design.
