Delta's 50th KABOOM! playground marks a milestone at home in Seattle

In just six hours, Delta volunteers and local families turned local Seattle-area children’s drawings into a new place to play.

Staff Writer

Nov 13, 2026 2:00pm

Delta volunteers hold a sparkly “50” sign while helping build a community playground.

On Saturday, Nov. 7, more than 100 Delta employees, SkyMiles and 12Status Members and neighbors came together to build Delta's 50th KABOOM! playground and seventh in the Seattle area. Delta partnered with the City of SeaTac to replace the aging playground at McMicken Heights Park, which is across the street from a local elementary school. The new playspace is estimated to serve 800 children each year.

Delta volunteers and local community members gather in front of a newly completed playground for a group photo.

The milestone was reached during KABOOM!’s 30 year anniversary. With fewer places to play, a safe playground close to home matters.

Designed by children, built by community

The playground's design came straight from local children, who shared their ideas at a KABOOM! Design Day. On build day, Delta and KABOOM! volunteers brought those ideas to life.

"Every playground starts with the community," said Allison Marques, General Manager – Delta Community Engagement. "Somewhere in this neighborhood is a child who drew their dream slide. Today, it's real. That's why Delta people keep volunteering, 50 playgrounds later."

Delta volunteers assemble playground equipment during the construction of a new community play space.

Delta volunteers pose with hand-drawn artwork during a community playground build event.

Delta volunteers carry and assemble a bright green playground slide during a community build project.

Delta volunteer carries playground equipment across a newly constructed community playground site.

Delta volunteers pose for a group photo at a Delta and KABOOM! community playground build event.

Two Delta volunteers pose beside a sign marking the newly built community playground.

Delta volunteers install playground equipment during a community playground build project.

Community members and Delta volunteers are recognized during a playground build event.

The new playground includes slides, swings and climbing features, and plenty of room to explore. Volunteers also improved the area around the playground by painting and planting new flowers.

Delta people show up for Seattle

Every playground needs a foundation, and at Delta's KABOOM! builds, that job usually falls to Team Cement. Tracey Baldwin, Senior Manager – Corporate Security, has led it at more than 25 builds since 2017, and Seattle was no different.

Delta volunteers pour concrete at a playground build site beneath bright green play structures.

"If the cement's not good, then the playground's not good," she said.

She had plenty of help. Delta volunteers from Seattle and across the country worked with 12Status SkyMiles Members, community partners, and, in the afternoon, Seattle Seahawks legend Cliff Avril.

A group of Delta volunteers poses for a group photo

For Tracey, that shared purpose is what keeps her coming back. "All of these people fly in from all over the United States for one common goal," she said. "At Delta, we talk about helping others, but I don't know if we realize we're helping our own people, too. Volunteering’s restored my faith that there are still good people out there who want to do good things."

Delta in Seattle

For Delta, Seattle is more than a destination. It's home. This year alone:

$2.6M+ given by Delta and The Delta Air Lines Foundation to 19 Seattle nonprofit partners
568+ volunteer hours from Delta people, sorting food, clearing trails and showing up for their neighbors

In all, Delta's community work has positively impacted more than 266,000 lives in Seattle. On Nov. 7, that impact could be seen in a brand-new playground.

Delta has partnered with KABOOM! since 2013 to build playgrounds alongside communities across the country, giving back to the places where we call home. Over the years, thousands of Delta volunteers have worked with local partners and neighbors to create playgrounds shaped by the communities they're built for because children deserve safe places to play.

Learn more about Delta's charitable giving, and how Delta people give back to communities globally.