Hermiston hopes to slam dunk Trail Blazers contest, win new playground

Hermiston is hoping to slam dunk a fundraiser contest and win a new playground for a diverse low-income community.

Kasia Robbins says the Portland Trail Blazers is part of the 'Moda Assist Program,' helping build one all-abilities playground each year. Robbins say the team reached out to the parks department to see if they wanted to take part. Now, Hermiston is launching a citywide effort to win the contest and be gifted $20,000 to put toward a new playground at Sunset Park.

"So the need at Sunset Park right now is the equipment that is there does not meet the National Standard for Safety and so it needs to be removed to provide safe equipment for the kids in that area," says Robbins.

But to replace that playground, the first step is to win a voting contest against Portland and Tillamook. Whichever city gets the most votes by March 20th, will win.

"A lot of our residents that live in this area utilize this park and looking forward to having equipment that is safe for their children to go to is a huge improvement for them and they need it," says Robbins.

Currently, Hermiston is in the lead and you can find out more about how to assist the community by heading to the 'Moda Assist Program,' website.

The 'Moda Assist Program,' is a partnership between the Trail Blazers and the Portland stadium sponsor, Moda. For every assist made on the court during the regular season, the Trail Blazers and Moda donated $10 to the Trail Blazers Foundation to support building an all abilities playground in the greater Oregon community.