FLINT, MI - Shiny new playgrounds are appearing overnight across Flint, built by groups of passionate volunteers in a matter of hours.



In the last week, playgrounds have been constructed at Farnumwood Park, Eldorado Vista Park, Cook Park and Clara Hilborn Park, with the help of the Flint Kids Fund and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.



The build events attract between 65 and 125 volunteers, said Jamie Gaskin, CEO of United Way of Genesee County.



"It really is about creating places in Flint to help stabilize neighborhoods and get kids out and playing and enjoying a more healthy activity than sitting in the house," Gaskin said.



These events are popular with volunteers who often come as a family or a group, said Diane Woodruff, volunteer coordinator at United Way.



"It's a great thing to volunteer for when you can come out as a family and volunteer. We've had volunteers from age 3 to 103. Being able to do that and give back gives families a really good sense of community. We have a great turn out," Woodruff said.



Each park will be kept up by those in the neighborhood who partnered with Adopt A Park to keep the playground clean. A grant-funded maintenance plan will also help with any wear and tear, said Gaskin.



"The idea is to sustain the neighborhood around that space," Gaskin said.



Without partnerships, Gaskin said the playgrounds popping up across Flint would not be successful.



"Our city has struggled to maintain the parks across neighborhoods. When we are trying to decide between police officers and firefighters and parks -- the basic services -- those often have to take priority. Over time, that's had a net effect where playgrounds, which need to be replaced every 20 years or so, never get the attention they need. By bringing the partners together, we can meet this need," Gaskin said.



While the work isn't easy, seeing a playground finished in a matter of hours is the ultimate reward, said Woodruff.



"It was a lot of hard work, you can see that people are kind of dirty, but there's a lot of smiling faces. At the end of the day, it's worth it to see the kids smiling," Woodruff said.

Whaley Park is slated for a playground build on Aug. 11. To sign up to volunteer, visit Genesee Serves here.