As a non-profit organization, KaBOOM! was started in 1996 but inspiration for it was sown the year before Darell Hammond read a story about two children suffocating while playing inside an abandoned car for lack of a playground to go to. Hammond realized the tragedy could’ve been prevented had there been a playground available for the two and so the idea for KaBOOM! was born. 

Before KaBOOM! was officially launched, Hammond had already started working on his idea while leading City Year Chicago. Under his leaderhip, 600 volunteers worked together to build two playgrounds. 

Although unofficial, the first KaBOOM! community playground was built at Livingston Manor in the southeastern portion of Washington, DC in 1995. Since the organization was officially established in 1996, KaBOOM! Has managed to raise over $200 million and, with the help of a million volunteers, build more than 2,000 playgrounds across the country. The 2000th playground is located at Washington, DC;s Imagine Southeast Public Charter School.