Ninja Playground in Lee Begins Construction, Seeking Sponsors
LEE, Mass. — After almost two years of fundraising and planning, the Neighborhood Ninjas playground will soon begin construction.
Many teens and adults have memories of running and climbing at a playground, but as they grow up, they age out of the equipment, often geared to kids 12 and under, Neighborhood Ninjas Executive Director Alex Katz said.
The nonprofit Neighborhood Ninjas has worked to create something that kids can grow into, allowing teens, adults, and seniors to rediscover the love for play, including the nostalgic game, the floor is lava, she said.
The 15 ninja-style obstacles, including cargo nets, rope climbs, cliffhangers, ascending monkey bars, and more set on accessible, cushioned playground turf called Forever Lawn designed with a 15-foot safety critical fall height in mind, Katz said.
The initiative also helps address social isolation, especially in teens, and the lack of free recreation, which is a need many communities are experiencing, including Berkshire County.
The Neighborhood Ninjas park is more than a playground; it's a catalyst to bring the families and community together to build on physical and mental health, Katz said.
Neighborhood Ninjas was founded in 2018 by a team of American Ninja Warrior athletes and is made up of social workers, educators, and Ninja Warrior coaches.
Initially, the nonprofit focused on offering scholarships, mentoring, and community events that aim to instill resiliency, confidence, and tools to overcome obstacles.
In school, Katz was a three-sport varsity athlete and scholarship kid. However, when she qualified for her first world championship she couldn't afford to go.
This experience is not uncommon — that's how the idea for Neighborhood Ninjas was born. Building on its scholarship program, a mentorship program was soon added.
The development of Neighborhood Ninja playgrounds is its most recent endeavor, in addition to the work it was founded on.
In 2024, its first ninja fit playground was built in Wilmington, Del. and it has been thriving ever since, helping people build confidence, social connections, and physical activity.
The playground in Lee will be its second project of this nature but the hope is that there will be many more nationwide.
Katz highlighted several examples from the Wilmington, Del. playground including workshops for moms which have improved their body image and provided them the tools to help their kids also struggling with confidence to seniors rediscovering skills and strength that they thought they had lost.
She also described an experience of a young boy with autism who struggled to connect with others; that was until he discovered Ninja sport.
"He never played on a playground his whole life, he had trouble making friends, and this clicked for him, and now he's active for pretty much the first time in his life. He's making friends," Katz said.
"That's our goal. We're increasing access to literally anything and everything that we possibly can through the means that we are able with this playground."
The foundation of this park will be set on this very mission as individuals are invited to come together for a community build day on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Volunteers will help construct the Ninja Fit playground in shifts, doing everything from setting equipment and mixing/pouring concrete to lighter jobs like social media, trash pickup, and food distribution. There will also be free pizza provided by Dominos in Lee.
Volunteers will be asked to sign waivers. Registration is recommended but not required. Register here.
Some of the build work is restricted to volunteers over 16. However there are some tasks for younger people interested in helping including gathering photos for social media and helping distribute waivers.
There will be a grand opening of the playground that will take place on Saturday Aug. 22 from 9 to 11 a.m. and will feature celebrity ninjas, remarks from local, state, and nonprofit officials, vendors, and a chance to play on the obstacle course with guided instruction.
Once the ribbon is cut marking the opening of the Lee playground, the collaboration with Neighborhood Ninjas will continue through free community programming that focuses on turning obstacles into opportunities, cultivating perseverance.
Neighborhood Ninjas has been working with Lee officials to bring the park to life through fundraising efforts and by applying for grant funding.
A majority of the funds needed for the project has been raised between fundraising and sponsoring efforts, in addition to grant funding. However, $30,000 is left of its $300,000 goal to fund the project's equipment, surfacing, labor, delivery, and other associated costs.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for businesses, individuals, or foundations interested in supporting the project, with sponsors receiving recognition through promotional materials, event banners,, and permanent signage at the playground. Sponsor or donate here.
The organization secured about $90,000 in state funding, including most recently $50,000 from a supplemental bill signed June 12, secured with the help of Rep. Leigh Davis. The town also contributed $40,000 towards the project.
To donate or sponsor the project, visit here.
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