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KOKOMO, Ind., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Before the sun set today, Kokomo-area children got a new and safe place to play at Waterworks Park.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081011/CLSA001)

The new playground, which was fully assembled from scratch in less than eight hours, was built with the help of more than 250 volunteers from Button Chrysler Dodge; McGonigal Jeep(R); Chrysler LLC; The Chrysler Foundation; Chrysler Financial; the City of Kokomo; The Community Foundation of Howard County; Indiana American Water; organizers from KaBOOM!; and residents of the local community.

For area residents and their children, which includes more than 5,000 Chrysler employees, the new playground at Waterworks Park represents a continuation of the city's efforts to revitalize the neighborhood. The new playground will also be a destination point along the 3.5 mile Wildcat Creek Walk of Excellence.

"McGonigal Jeep and Button Chrysler Dodge are excited to be involved in this project to provide support and strengthen Kokomo's neighborhoods," said Rex Gingerich, McGonigal Jeep President and Button Chrysler Dodge Vice President/General Manager. "It is a great day when corporations and the city can come together to provide a clean, fun environment for children. Contributing to our community is extremely important to our employees and we are proud to participate in this effort to revitalize Waterworks Park."

Planning for the playground began at a Design Day event held in August. Local children and community leaders met with organizers from KaBOOM! and Chrysler to design their "dream" playground. The children's drawings were used to create the final playground design.

"The City of Kokomo is extremely proud of this project," said Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight. "Consider all the people who are involved in making this happen: the City of Kokomo, the Chrysler Foundation, McGonigal Jeep and Button Chrysler Dodge, the Community Foundation and Indiana-American Water Company. These types of public-private partnerships are what allow communities to come together and get things done."

The project is the 13th of 25 playgrounds scheduled to be built across the country this year by KaBOOM!, The Chrysler Foundation, and Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers. The playground is also one of more than 225 builds KaBOOM! will lead across the country this year in an effort to provide an enjoyable place to play within walking distance of every child in America.

"This is going to be an amazing playground," said John Martino, Kokomo Parks and Recreation Director. "It will be a tremendous asset for the neighborhood and for the entire city."

Chrysler has a significant presence in Kokomo, employing more than 5,000 people at four manufacturing facilities who are represented by UAW (United Auto Workers) Locals 685, 1166 and 1302. These facilities include:

-- The Indiana Transmission Plant I produces transmissions for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Dakota and Durango, as well as the Dodge Ram Trucks and Jeep Liberty, Cummins Diesel and Heavy Duty, vehicles.

-- The Indiana Transmission Plant II produces transmissions for the Chrysler 300, Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee, and the Dodge Charger and Nitro.

-- The Kokomo Casting Plant supplies 18 different aluminum parts for automotive components as well as 12 transmission and transaxle cases.

-- The Kokomo Transmission Plant produces transmissions for the Chrysler 300, Sebring, Pacifica and PT Cruiser, the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans, Dodge Avenger, Charger, Dakota, Durango, Nitro and the Dodge Ram Trucks, and the Jeep Liberty and Wrangler.

McGonigal Jeep and Button Chrysler Dodge

McGonigal Jeep and Button Chrysler Dodge are the unquestioned leaders in delivering superior automotive products and services in the Kokomo area and surrounding communities. Since 1928, the goal has been to strive to achieve complete customer satisfaction through individual and team efforts. It is their desire to assist in fulfilling the automotive wants and needs of the community and beyond. McGonigal Jeep is located at 1220 E. Boulevard, Kokomo, Ind., 46902. Button Chrysler Dodge is located at 1400 E. Boulevard, Kokomo, Ind., 46902. Visit them online at buttondodge.com or mcgonigal.com.

Kokomo Parks and Recreation

The Kokomo Parks and Recreation Department offers the City of Kokomo, friends, and neighbors, an exciting and diverse Park system. The city has more than 450 acres of parks and recreational space and includes activities for the whole family to enjoy.

The Chrysler Foundation

The Chrysler Foundation is the primary source of charitable grants made by Chrysler LLC. The Foundation annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations with an emphasis on community growth and enrichment, arts and culture, education, and youth development programs throughout the United States and, increasingly, the world. The Foundation's Good Neighbor, Good Citizen(R) programs make a positive, lasting investment in local communities where our employees, customers and neighbors live. Visit http://www.thechryslerfoundation.com/.

KaBOOM!

KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Since 1995, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct more than 1,400 new playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including an online community, regional and national trainings, grants, publications and the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play, which includes Playful City USA and the Playmaker Network - a national network of individual advocates for play. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago and San Mateo, Calif. For more information, visit http://www.kaboom.org/.