On October 15, 2025, Lake Lure, North Carolina, opened a new playground at Morse Park. The event followed damage from Hurricane Helene, which struck western North Carolina in 2024. The hurricane left over one million cubic yards of debris and destroyed key infrastructure, including the original playground. For more than a year, local children and families did not have a safe place to play.
The new playground was built through a partnership between community members, the nonprofit KABOOM!, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC). KABOOM! builds playgrounds with community volunteers and aims to address playspace inequity. The design of the new playground was based on drawings from local children.
This project is part of Blue Cross NC’s efforts to support youth mental health and infrastructure in areas affected by disasters. Since 2024, Blue Cross NC and its Foundation have worked with over 70 organizations in western North Carolina on recovery projects. The Morse Park playground is the 20th project completed by Blue Cross NC and KABOOM! in the state…