PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Even in the heat, a West Philadelphia church built a playground for the neighborhood.

Bible Way Baptist Church holds an annual community cookout but this year was a bit different, and it wasn’t just dealing with the record breaking heat.

With the help of the city, Keystone Mercy and Wells Fargo, they decided to build a playground on an empty space across the street.

Bible Way Pastor Doctor Damone Jones says the neighborhood kids need a safe place to play.

“We were able to take a vacant lot that just sat for years, literally about 17 years, and turn it into something beautiful and productive for our community.”

Even with 100 degrees expected, volunteers like Nate Fletcher were enthusiastic.

“If I got to help out with the apparatus over here, fine. If I got to pull some of those gigantic wheelbarrows, fine. I’m doing anything and everything.”

Volunteers had plenty of water to drink and cooling stations were set up to get them through the day.

Reported by Tim Jimenez, KYW Newsradio