Photo Credit: Kelsea Godek 

The Four Hearts Foundation hosted a free event at the Portsmouth Turnpike Avenue Playground, home of their future adaptive and inclusive playground, on Wednesday, August 30.

The “Popsicles For Play” event was a free way to honor the children of the community as they head back to school. The community gathered for some ice-cold popsicles after the first day of school.

Photo Credit: Kelsea Godek 

Kateri Chappell Buerman, who runs the foundation, shared with What’sUpNewp, “It was a great turnout and made me so excited for the future of the Portsmouth Playground and community space. I loved watching all the children play — kids have a way of bonding quickly  —even with children they may not know. It felt like magic to witness such pure happiness and joy. Play has so much power and I am proud to be a part of it.”

Photo Credit: Kelsea Godek 

“I wish all the kids a successful school year. I am going to work really hard this year too so that when summer vacation comes, our community has a more safe, adaptive, inclusive and fun place to play,” she said.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...