Kingswood Community Center opens its new 81,000-square-foot home in Wilmington’s Riverside neighborhood this week. The grand opening weekend begins with a ribbon cutting on Friday, November 6, followed by Kingswood Community Day on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Kanani Hines Munford, MPA, Director of Annual Giving and Major Gifts for the WRK Group, joined Ivan Thomas and Vincenza Carrieri-Russo on Good Morning Delaware to explain what the new building means for Riverside and how families can take part.
Kingswood Community Center Grand Opening at a Glance
| Ribbon cutting | Friday, November 6, 2026 |
| Community Day | Saturday, November 7, 2026 |
| Community Day hours | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Location | 2500 Rosemont Ave., Wilmington, Delaware |
| Admission | Free, with registration |
| Register | CelebrateKingswood.org |
| Live stream | DETV will stream Community Day |
In This Article
Why the Grand Opening Matters for Riverside
This year marks 80 years of Kingswood Community Center, and Hines Munford said the anniversary and the new building make this a historic moment for the neighborhood.
“It is a momentous occasion.”
Kanani Hines Munford, WRK Group
The new center is about five times the size of the original Kingswood. WDEL reported that the project cost $60 million.
Hines Munford said the community deserves a space like this and remains at the heart of the work. Logan Herring, who leads the WRK Group, told WHYY the center is “a brand new heart for the community.”
What to Expect at Kingswood Community Day
Community Day is an open house for families, residents and community partners. Hines Munford said everything will be held inside the new building, so bring the whole family and plan to stay a while.
Planned activities and guests include:
- Music, entertainment and a DJ
- Moon bounces for kids
- Line dancing
- Food and craft activities
- Activities at the Ernest L. Webster Montessori Academy
- Tours of the new building, plus information on programs and resources
- A Chick-fil-A tent with to-go boxes for guests on their way out, plus a visit from the Cow
- Nemours Children’s Health, a major partner and sponsor
Friday Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony
The official ribbon cutting comes first on Friday, November 6. Hines Munford said Kingswood is rolling out the red carpet, with the Delaware State University drum line, dignitaries and The Twin Poets, whom she described as Kingswood kids from Riverside.
Guests can leave their mark by signing 80th anniversary canvases with messages that will be opened at a later date. Docent-style tours follow the ceremony and cover the north campus, which includes Kingswood and Imani Village, and the south campus, home to The Warehouse.
Registration is required through CelebrateKingswood.org, the landing page for all grand opening events.
Inside the New Kingswood Community Center
The new center is built to serve residents at every stage of life. Hines Munford described a cradle-to-career approach that reaches from the littlest learners to seniors.
Features of the building include:
- A full indoor gym with a basketball court and space for volleyball
- An outdoor basketball court
- The Ernest L. Webster Montessori Academy, which is open for enrollment and may have a waiting list
- The Jimmy Jenkins Senior Center, which is celebrating 60 years
- A pediatric health center with Nemours Children’s Health
- A fitness center and playgrounds
- Modern preschool classrooms
- A commercial kitchen and large dining room
How the WRK Group Is Revitalizing Riverside
Kingswood is one of three pillars of the WRK Group, which formed in 2017. The name stands for The Warehouse, REACH Riverside and Kingswood.
- The Warehouse: A teen center built for teens, by teens, with teen executives on its board and workforce development programs that build job skills.
- REACH Riverside: The community development side of the work, including Imani Village and affordable housing.
- Kingswood: The community center serving children, families and seniors in Riverside.
Hines Munford said president and CEO Logan Herring has led the revitalization effort for 10 years, and the plan runs through 2031. New homes are planned for the site of the old Kingswood building.
The WRK Group is also part of Purpose Built Communities, a national model based in Atlanta. Hines Munford said Riverside is one of 30 communities in the network, which provides additional resources and technical assistance.
What Comes Next for Riverside
The grand opening is one piece of a much larger plan. WDEL reported that about $400 million has already gone into the neighborhood as part of a plan totaling more than $600 million.
WHYY reported that Imani Village will bring 800 new homes to replace older apartments. Leaders also hope to bring a grocery store to Riverside and replace boarded-up properties near the center with new housing.
80 Years of Kingswood Community Center History
Kingswood traces its roots to 1946, when Kingswood Methodist Church opened its doors to local youth in Riverside. According to Kingswood’s history page, the church bought property at 23rd and Bowers streets in 1958 and built the facility that served the neighborhood for decades.
Eight decades later, the new building gives that legacy more room to grow, with more space to gather, learn and connect.
Watch Kingswood Community Day on DETV
Can’t make it to Riverside on Saturday? DETV will stream the event live. Hines Munford still encouraged Delaware families to come in person and see the new building for themselves.
For updates, follow The WRK Group on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Kingswood Community Center FAQ
When is the Kingswood Community Center grand opening?
The ribbon cutting and dedication are Friday, November 6, 2026. Community Day, the public open house, follows on Saturday, November 7.
Where is the new Kingswood Community Center?
The new building is at 2500 Rosemont Ave. in the Riverside neighborhood of Wilmington, Delaware.
What is inside the new Kingswood Community Center?
The building includes an indoor gym, preschool classrooms, a Montessori academy, a commercial kitchen, a senior center and a pediatric health center with Nemours Children’s Health.
Is Kingswood Community Day free?
Yes. The event is listed as free, and guests are asked to register at CelebrateKingswood.org.
What is the WRK Group?
The WRK Group brings together The Warehouse, REACH Riverside and Kingswood to revitalize the Riverside neighborhood.
Can I watch Kingswood Community Day online?
Yes. DETV plans to stream the event live for anyone who cannot attend in person.
