Good Cause: New surface for One Hope United playground

The kids at the Aurora Early Learning Center have more room to roam and play thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Fox River Valley.

One Hope United recently received a grant for $18,300 to resurface its Aurora Early Learning Centers play area.

Initially, when the learning center was built, sod was put in. The sod frequently turned into a mud pit, said Beth Lakier, the associate executive director of the Child Development Centers of One Hope United. The children were not able to run around.

The learning center depends on the ability to take the children out during the day to play or participate in other outdoor activities, said Ralph Voris, grant coordinator for the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.

The combination of kids and grass can lead to things getting pretty worn out, he added.

After a rain or at certain times of the year, what had been grass would turn into a muddy mess that was being tracked into the building, he added.

The sod has been replaced by artificial turf so that the area could be used almost year round, Voris added.

With the new turf, kids can don swimsuits and enjoy water play, Lakier said. Walking out on the playground, Lakier spotted a girl who was enjoying her very first time playing under a hose.

The new experience hit for Lakier.

With the beautiful new space, the kids get to go out do things that they typically dont get to do at home, she said.

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Good Cause: New surface for One Hope United playground